12.9.25 Pasco Board of County Commissioners Meeting (Afternoon Session)

down. Down.

[music]

Hey. Hey. Hey.

[music] [music]

Hey, hey, hey. Hey, hey, hey. A hey, a Hey, hey, hey. [music] Down. Put the extension on for 38. agree more. [laughter]

I'll just kind of go That wouldn't be very good. So, he absolutely doesn't remember.

I now call back to order the Basco County Board of Commission's meeting December 9th, 2025. Please silence all electronic devices and mute your phones. We'll proceed to public hearing starting with ordinances. Item P79.

P79, proof of publication, Tampa Bay Times, September 3rd, 2025, and by affidavit of certified mailings and site postings. The item was continued from the October 21st, 2025 BCC meeting to today.

Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman. Nectarios PTOs, Planning Development, Economic Growth. Item P79 is PD260027. This is an ordinance amending the Pasco County comprehensive plan providing for a small scale comprehensive plan amendment to the future land use map 2-15 and sheet 10 from RO retail office residential to IL industrial light on approximately 4.18 acres of real property located on the south side of Stone Road approximately 500 ft east of the intersection of US Highway 19 and Stone Road and providing for additional text amendments as necessary for internal consistency providing for repealer serverability and an effective date. This comes to you with a recommendation to accept public comment and adopt the proposed comprehensive plan amendment and ordinance by roll call vote and there's a presentation if desired.

Uh would the board like to hear a presentation?

No.

No. Just one question, Mr. Chair.

Okay.

With local provision.

It's in there.

Thank you.

All right.

All right. No presentation needed, I guess. And hear from the applicant. Oh, no. No applicant, I guess. Okay. Barbara Willilhight 6327 Graham Boulevard um for the applicant and I'm available if you have any questions. I don't have a particular presentation.

Okay.

All right. This is a public hearing. Is anyone here from the public to speak to this item?

No online.

Move approval.

Have a motion.

Second.

Motion is second. All in favor say I.

I. Roll call.

Roll call vote. Sorry.

District one. Commissioner Oakley.

I. District two, Commissioner Weightman. Hi.

District three, Commissioner Starky.

I.

District four, Commissioner Joerger.

Hi.

District five, Chairman Mariano.

I.

Item P80.

P80, proof of publication, Tampa Bay Times, October 5th, 2025.

Item P80 is PTE 260022. This is an ordinance by the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners amending the Pasco County Land Development Code section 1302.2 two mobility fees to clarify that the 2025 mobility fee schedules do not expire on December 31, 2025 and amending other sections as necessary for internal consistency providing for applicability repealer providing for severability inclusion into land development code in an effective date. This comes to you with a recommendation to accept public comment and adopt the proposed land development code amendment and ordinance by roll call vote.

Okay.

And there's a presentation if if needed like a presentation. Okay. Is there anyone in the audience here to speak to this item?

Anyone online?

No one signed up.

Back to the board.

Move approval.

Second.

All in favor say I.

Roll call again. Sorry.

District one, Commissioner Oakley.

I.

District two, Commissioner Waitman.

District three, Commissioner Starky.

I.

District four, Commissioner Joerger. Hi.

District five, Chairman Mariano.

I.

Item P81. P81, proof of publication, Tampa Bay Times, November 19th, 2025, and by affidavit of certified mailings and site postings. Item P81 is PDE 2600021. This is an ordinance amending the Pas County comprehensive plan providing for a comprehensive plan amendment to the future land use map, map 2-15, and sheet 18 from RES 6, residential six dwelling units per gross acre to IL industrial light on approximately 1.8 8 acres of real property located at the southeast corner of the intersection of Alderman Lane and Rowan Road and providing for additional text amendments as necessary for internal consistency providing for repealability and an effective date. This comes to you with the recommendation to accept public comment and adopt the proposed comprehensive plan amendment and ordinance by roll call vote.

Okay. Would the board like a presentation?

No, thank you chair. Just question Terry. So is this prop this 1.8 acres. Is this property associated with uh uh the Asphalt Solutions Company? Because if it's tied into a larger piece of property that we need to look at adding the live local act provision on the 1.8 if it's going to expand if we could I don't know if we can see the zoning on the property to the south if it's all going to tie in together and it be a footprint to

what zoning does that piece of property have? That's what I'm trying to

I I I don't think it is, but we'll let the applicant speak to it.

Good afternoon again, Barbara Wilhight, 8627 Graham Boulevard for the applicant. The applicant when I first started on this journey was the Deeb family and now it's the Keely family. Um, and this is only parcel that they own. They don't have any relationship with any of the parcels around them.

My map are stuck, but what's the zoning to the property directly to the south? Holly, it's called uh C2. I'm trying.

The south is uh C1 and C2.

What about the north?

The north is AR.

Yeah, it's a house.

But it's fun. Very funky

due to the two bottom

the zoning of the two bottom parcels even though it's existing which you're going to be okay with putting the lilac provision on the 1.8 8 acres in case we have something that comes in in the future to this house and they try to marry the parcels.

The south already has a building on it. Commissioner,

I'm aware of that. Okay.

But if an investor comes in and purchases that property to the south and they pro purchase this vacant land to the north, marry the two together and they put a combine it to do a live local. I'm concerned that there's a potential that they could tie together the other and put a live local pie. I'm not saying they will. I'm just being cautious or it's up to the flavor of the board. If it's not worth it, then we just

Well, this MPD has the live local condition on it.

It's in the zoning. It's in the MPD zoning.

Um, so we have made provision for this parcel and that's really all we can control today is this parcel.

Okay.

Okay. Well, that's on there. I'm Okay.

Okay.

Right. Okay. So, if they did purchase this one, they this parcel would be subject to live local, which would foil any plans.

That's what I'm trying to do. Spoil the plans.

It would foil their

Great terminology.

Thank you, Miss White. And you're Christmas red. [laughter]

Christmas. Um,

can I Yeah. Did you say that that parcel and I see the address here is at 12 356 Moss Lake Loop is a business, not a house.

To the south of this parcel. To the south as a business. Yes.

Yeah. To the south as a business. [cough]

Okay.

I'll move probably public comment.

Yes. Okay. Uh applicant do want to say any more?

Okay. Anyone here from the public like to speak to this item?

See back to the board?

Approve.

Second.

Call the role, please.

District one, Commissioner Oakley.

I.

District two, Commissioner Waitman.

District three, Commissioner Starky.

Hi. District 4, Commissioner Joerger. Hi.

District 5, Chairman Mariano.

I.

Item P82.

P82, proof of publication, Tampa Bay Times, October 1st, 2025, and by affidavit of certified mailings and site postings.

Item P82 is PD260010. This is an ordinance amending the pass county comprehensive plan providing for a comprehensive plan amendment to the future land use maps 2-15 and sheet 20 changing from res 3 residential three volumes for gross acre to com commercial on approximately 3.68 acres of real property located at the northeast corner of the intersection of landlakes boulevard and wisteria loop and providing for additional text amendments as necessary for internal consistency providing for a repeal of serverability and an effective date. This comes to you with recommendation to accept public comment and adopt the proposed comprehensive plan amendment with and ordinance by roll call vote and there's a presentation if necessary. Right. Anyone presentation? Uh does the applicant want to speak to the item?

I'm good.

Okay. All right. Go to public comment. Anyone here from the public like to address this item?

I I just have one question.

Mr. Turkey.

Uh, on which side will there be? I think the multi-use path is on that side.

Yes, it's on the east.

And is that Sorry, I didn't read this to that degree. Is that captured in here?

This is a comp comprehensive plan.

Okay. So, when they come in for

on the zonings on the site plan, yes, because it'll likely be a Uklitian resoning.

Okay. Because there's one coming down Wisteria and certainly wanted to connect with that. Okay. Okay. Uh, any of the comments? All right. So, we check for public comment. Anyone online for public comment?

No one's online.

Okay. Back to the board.

Move approval.

Second.

Call the role, please.

District one, Commissioner Oakley.

Hi.

District two, Commissioner Waitman. District three, Commissioner Starky.

Hi.

District four, Commissioner Joerger. Hi.

District five, Chairman Mariano.

I.

Item P83.

P83, proof of publication, Tampa Bay Times, September 3rd, 2025. Item P83 is PD260002. This is an ordinance by the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners amending the Pasco County Land Development Code. Section 522.9 Connected City Master Plan Unit Development District. Section 901 infrastructure standards. Section 901.1 Transportation Corridor Spacing. Section 901.6 Street Design and Dedication Requirements. Section 901.7 bicycle facilities. Section 901.8 pedestrian facilities. Appendix A definitions and other sections as necessary for internal consistency providing for applicability repealer providing for severability inclusion into the land development code and effective date. This comes to you with a recommendation to accept public comment and adopt the proposed land development code amendment and ordinance by roll call vote. Uh since uh the last since the first hearing, this item has undergone a little revision. PD PDE amended the list of allowable construction materials for boardwalks to include composite decking.

Nice. and we worked with uh area stakeholders to uh accomplish that. So that was an addition since the first public hearing.

Okay. Any questions for staff? Okay. This is a public hearing. Anyone here from the public like to speak to this item? Anyone online?

No one online.

All right. Back to the board. Move approval. Second.

Roll call, please.

District one, Commissioner Oakley.

Hi.

District two, Commissioner Waitman. Hi.

District three, Commissioner Starky.

I.

District four, Commissioner Joerger. Hi, District 5 Chairman Mariano.

I now we'll proceed to the public hearings. Will the county attorney please review the procedure following procedures for zoning?

Be happy to, Mr. Chairman. There are two reasoning agendas, regular and consent. Staff will present each application to the board of county commissioners. If staff or planning commission has recommended approval and there is no opposition, the application will be considered by the board without further presentation. If staff or planning commission has recommended denial or if there is opposition to the application, the applicant will be given five minutes for presentation, the opposition will be given three minutes for each individual or five minutes for a group representative and the applicant will be given three minutes for rebuttal. Any individual disagreeing with staff or planning commission recommendation or anyone wishing to object to any condition of the resoning may at this time request the petition be pulled from the consent agenda in which case that application will be heard under the regular agenda later on during the meeting. Otherwise, all resoning applications will be on the consent agenda will be approved by a single motion and vote. You wish to speak to any petition, please give your name and address and whether or not you've been sworn for the record. These are quasi judicial public hearings. The law in Florida is that mere public support or opposition of an application is insufficient for this board to take action. Please limit your comments to those criteria found within the board's land development code. Madame clerk, would you like to swear the public in, please?

Yes, I will. Everyone, please stand if you'd like to speak. Please raise your right hand. Do you swear or affirm the testimony you are about to give is the truth. So help you God. When you come to the podium to speak for the record, please indicate whether you have been sworn, state your name and address and spell your last name. Thank you. Today we have two public hearings on the consent agenda and two items that are continuations. We'll start with P4 P84 continuence.

This item was not noticed properly and will be continued.

So, so item P84 is PD26 CU09. This is a conditional use in the name of Bear Creek Group Home Elevated Youth Services, which is a conditional use for a residential treatment and care facility in R4 Highdensity Residential District. And the request is to continue to the January 20, 2026 uh board of county commissioners meeting at 1:30 p.m. or soon thereafter as may be heard in Newport Richie.

Move to continue.

Second. Have a motion to continue.

All in favor say I.

I.

Any opposed? Okay. P85.

P85, proof of publication, Tampa Bay Times, October 1st, 2025.

P85 is PD 267888. This is a zoning amendment in the name of CL Shady Hills MPUD by 49 acres incorporated. It's a resorting request from C2 General Commercial District to MPUD master plan unit development district and the request is to continue it to a date uncertain.

Move the continued date uncertain.

Second. Have a motion and a second. All in favor say I.

I.

Okay. P86.

86, proof of publication, Tampa Bay Times, November 19th, 2025, and by affidavit of certified mailings and site postings.

P86 is PD260125. This is an appeal of the planning, development and economic growth department final determination regarding non-conforming use determination of 12 improved camper and RV sites uh by the naturist religious society incorporated and uh Miss Mrs. Tol will be presenting uh this appeal. Good afternoon. Amy Tol with planning development and economic growth. [clears throat] Before you is PTE 26-0125. It's the appeal of of non of a non-conforming use determination, excuse me, of 12 improved camper RV sites. It is in the name of the Naturist Religious Society, Inc. So, the request uh was an appeal of the final determination of a non-conforming uh use determination to allow for 12 improved campers or RV sites within the naturist uh community. The future land use is res 3 residential three dwelling units per gross acre. The zoning is currently AR agricultural residential district and PTE recommends uh to deny the appeal and uphold the planning development and economic growth department's final determination. Location of the site is within the area of Buckley Loop approximately located uh 1300 ft north of Fairwinds Road and 700 feet east of Colony Road. I'll show you an a visual of what that looks like. So, subject sites located within the North Market area. Here's a basic concept map of the overall area. The subject site is going to be depicted um as a large piece of the nature society uh religious society area because it's a portion of this parcel ID. So, here is the red area i.e. the subject property which is the parcel ID associated to the proposed request. However, I'll do a little zoom. The subject site is this area in question. Subject request. So, here's just a vicinity map. So, again, the approximate [clears throat] location of the 12 improved campers or RV sites is highlighted in red right here. Uh to the north is Palmwind MPU and to the east is Palmwind MPU with Fairwinds Road to the south and Colony Road to the west. The existing future land use map here is a res 3 and the existing zoning is AR and we'll go through that. Those are not applicable. And with that, we recommend approval with conditions of the requested. Actually, this is the wrong recommendation, too. We would recommend, let me pull it up from my notes. I'm sorry. So, the recommendation is to deny the appeal and uh support the planning and development final determination that was made on May 30th. And I have a couple visuals if you have any questions that are specific to the plat. Um they are uploaded into the agenda if you've had an opportunity to review those. Otherwise, I have pulled those out separately to give just a little extra context. Um so, uh Gina, can you zoom in just a little bit? So, this is the approved uh Florida Naturist Park plat. On this plat, as you can see, it is

already platted out. Um, however, the area that's in question is right here. Um, Gina, can you zoom into the area specifically, please? The original intent, or at least it appears that the original intent of this platted, unrecorded subdivision, um, is that it was intended to be the park area for the nature society. And so, this is where the RVs are now situated. Uh, additionally in the review, um, this is set forth in the agenda memo as well. Uh, the historical areas do not support that the, uh, 12 RV spaces have been in place since before 1975. I do have Mapper available to go through those areas. If you are interested,

I want you to go to pass.

Okay. and actually drop some pins on. I mean, yeah, look at look at

Sure.

So, what's going on there at Buckley Loop and Sally Lane?

That is the 12 RV spaces that are are claiming that they've been uh in place since 1975 and requested a non-conforming determination, which is not the case, at least from our uh historical research. So, here's the aerial. This is the most recent aerial showing the 12 RV spaces, but we can go down to in the 90s. Sure. Try 1998. It'll take a minute for it to load. You might have to zoom out just a moment. Yeah. So, zoom in until it doesn't. Yeah. So, the space one more out. Sorry. I know it's how it's uh pixelated and it's going to be this area right here.

Are are these people on are they on septic?

Um great questions. Yes. Thank you. And so this is the 1998 Ariel. As you can tell, there's not 12 RV spaces. Only a couple are there. Um, let's go through the 2000s,

Amy, if I could.

Sure.

So, I saw all all your pictures and I I see exactly why we don't think it is. When I look at the pictures the uh applicant submitted, um I look at the 1973, I don't see anything there.

Correct.

I go to 77, I see some things there.

Okay.

Did the approval have to be done or was it just have to be shown that they were there before 75? uh consistently before 75.

Okay.

Is this a gated community?

Uh I'm not I'm not 100% sure. I would assume yes since it's a naturist society. I would recommend the board take the uh appellants case and then and then ask your questions of of the applicant and of of staff subsequent to public comment.

Okay. So, the applicant asked me for 10 minutes extra or 10 minutes time to speak. So, I'm going to grant that for them so they can put a their information together.

Perfect. Thank you.

Thank you. Afternoon. Thank you, chairman, commissioners. Thank you for having me today. My name is Jared Shar. I'm an attorney from Dade City. I'm a fourth generation resident of Pasco County, and I'm here today to speak on behalf of my clients, Arthur Gulvin, Glenn Gulvin, Robert Gulvin, and their sister Joyce Stigerwald. The four children of a man named Ward T. Gvin. Who was Ward T. Gvin? Ward moved to Pasco County and bought property in the middle of the 1950s and incorporated something called the Naturist Religious Society in 1958. It's right there on Sunbiz for anybody to see. He bought about 220 acres in three or four transactions in the 1950s and he transferred those properties into the name of the corporation that still holds title today. That company, the Naturist Religious Society, dates back to 1958. It was purchased, developed, improved, and operated as a nudist park. That's what it is. It's what it was.

Before you get too much further, you have been sworn.

I have. So, yes, sir. I My apologies.

Just for the record.

Yes, sir.

I encourage you to Google the definition of the word naturist. I did it. And it actually means a person who goes naked where possible in designated or appropriated areas. I didn't know that until I took this matter on. So, Mr. Gulvin and he cobbled together this 200 some odd acres right down the street here in Hudson and set about making it usable. You can imagine what it looked like in the 1950s. He did all the things that you would expect. He cleared trees. He built roads. He platted lots. You see all of the when the matter was zoomed out, you could see all of the little lots. He even tamed the fictitious name Florida Naturist Park for marketing purposes. This was a man that was ahead of his time in 1958 for marketing to naturists as it were to come visit. Um, and it was clear what kind of property it was and it was clear what kind of a guests he was soliciting. Um, so they sold off these small lots that were plotted uh platted way before the zoning code. Um, you can see the tiny little lots on the map there. Uh, and when the county came out to inspect those lots back in 1992, Fred Louns, the very first zoning administrator,

I remember Fred

for for Pasco County, made a personal visit to the Florida Naturist Park. He acknowledged all of this predated the zoning code, gave it his blessing, and allowed the lots to be grandfathered in as small lots of record. That's ancient history. Uh, in your attachment, exhibit B, materials I provided for today's hearing, the very last page, you'll see a letter uh, to that effect. um that essentially from Miss uh what was it? Mrs. Zepetti 23 years ago acknowledges those findings from 34 years ago. So this is not something that the county is just now learning about. Um this business cruised along. Uh Ward had seasonal guests. Um there was a clubhouse and fishing and swimming and he had the park area which contrary to the county's uh I I I guess their assumption because they certainly don't have anything to support their conclusions. Um, that's where the campers set up. Imagine this business. Imagine this venture without a camping area. There's no lodge. There's no hotel. There's nowhere for anybody to stay. It's it's almost counterintuitive. It's it to suggest that there wasn't an area where folks were going to set up their tents and their little primitive campers. And again, we're in the 1960s at this point. Um, so this is important because the question before you today is as was pointed out earlier is whether this camping operation existed prior to December 1, 1975. That's that's the only question before uh this body today. Um, we already know that the small lots predated December 1, 1975. That's why they were grandfathered in. Uh, what my folks have told the county and are here to tell the county again today is that this camping area has always been there. Why wouldn't it have been there? Um, in the early days there was no infrastructure. Understand it was just like any other startup business. I know some of you folks and I know some of you folks are business owners. Did your business look the way it does today the day that you open the door? Certainly not. I know mine did not. But you do what you can do with the resources that you have. The naturist uh Florida Naturist Park has exactly the same story. You build the clubhouse. You clear some roads. You clear some trees, you put in a pitcher pump well so that when the guests arrived, they have a place to get fresh water. And then you tell them the camping area is right over there. There were no paved spaces. There were no electrical hookups. There were no septic hookups. There was no water. But that was the camping area. Always has been from day one. [snorts] Ward Gulvin managed to install the original septic dump tank in the 1960s, though we don't have an exact date on that. uh for the express purpose of emptying camper tanks. When you're done with your stay, you empty your tank into the septic and you pull it on down the road. It wasn't until 1975 when Mr. Goldman could finally get power to the site. Um and that's when he in really started installing some of the infrastructure as

we know it. As you can imagine, electricity pretty big deal. Exhibit B about halfway through you'll see a letter from with Lakuchi River Electric July 1975 confirming Mr. Golden established power for this site. And as you can imagine, with the electricity comes a lot of opportunity. A lot of opportunity to improve things. So for over 15 years at that point, the camping area was just that. It was just an area. That's all. No designated sites, no hookups. You park under the trees, you set up your rig, you dump your waste when you leave. Literally operated that way for almost two decades. Then the improvements started to be made. Electrical hookups installed, proper septic system installed. Eventually, there were designated sites for the campers as these hookups and infrastructure as it became more refined and more modernized just like any other business incrementally a little bit at a time. [snorts] Then in the early 90s, Ward Gulvin had a stroke and he was unable to continue day-to-day operations of the park. So, he looked to his children, three of which are are here today. Um Art Gulvin with me today. He's run a majority of those field operations in that park since that time, since the early 90s. And up until recently, he thought he had an ally in county government for very good reason. County government knows all about this park. They've issued permits and approvals and done inspections until very recently when county government decided unexpectedly that none of the 50 years of documented history of this park exists anymore. they've at least turned a blind eye to it or trying to pretend that it doesn't exist, which is quite an extraord extraordinary turn of events. It's why I put on the record that I'm a fourth generation resident of this county because I find the entire thing to be disappointing, for lack of a better way to put it. Shortly after Ward stroke, the county visited with a bunch of warnings. You got junk and debris that accumulated. You need to get this stuff out of here. Stuff you guys have heard a million times. Um, so it was time for Art and his brothers and sisters go to work. It was now their responsibility to foster this thing that their father had created. They appeared before a judge. They explained, "Look, we just need a little time. Let us clean this up. We'll bring it into compliance." And they did. Never received a citation. They spent a bunch of their own money. They spent the corporation's money. And they got this business whipped into shape. They were never fined. And as I mentioned, Art himself met with Fred Louns on the site to talk about zoning and compliance. focus at that time was on the small lots of record. But more importantly, when all this scrutiny was on them, accumulation of junk and debris, small lots that aren't conformity with the code, all of these different things that were drawing the attention of the count, nobody ever mentioned the camping area because it was a known thing. It'd been there quite

literally since the 1950s. Not a single county official ever mentioned a word about it. The next order of business for Art and his siblings was following their father's passing. Now they formally inherited this park. All right, we've got to improve and redevelop some of this aging infrastructure. Some of this stuff was 40 years old at that point by the time we're in the middle 90s. Um, needed updated, needed replacing again, just like any other business. So, with the cooperation of this very government, who they thought was on the same page as them, they went to work. new septic system. Health department right here in Pasco County drove to the site, identified the existing system, worked with them to calculate how much waste they were going to generate. 12 sites, two people per site. Here's how big your system needs to be. Here's how big your tank needs to be. Issued them a permit, performed an inspection, and approved it. All this money's been spent. The copy of the permit is in the packet, exhibit B. It's right behind the letter from with Luchi. It's the very next item. Next, they updated the electrical panel and the service connection to all 12 designated campsites. The next page in your packet from 2013 is the building permit to change out that electrical infrastructure. Building permit that this county issued them. They came out and inspected it. They saw the hookups. Again, nothing new, nothing unusual. These are things that were known by folks that had worked here for a while. They came out, they reviewed it, they reviewed the proposal, issued a permit, did an inspection, approved it all. 2014 quarterly drinking water test performed by the health department for this very county. Pasco County found the well to be unsatisfactory and instructed naturist religious society, hey, need a new well, drill a new well. Gave them a permit to do so. Third well started with a pitcher pump in the 1950s, new well in 1975 when we got power, and now a third well in 2014. Again, approved and inspected by this very county. Look, if you would from the health department where it says on-site observations in packet B. Public consumption, yes. How many people? 24. Service connections. 12. I'll leave it to your imagination to guess what those 12 service connections actually were. Again, Mr. Chairman, u my understanding was I was getting 10 additional minutes on top of my five. Is that right? Yes.

Okay, perfect. Thank you. Like the septic, like the electric, this the the this new well, water well was proposed to the county, permitted by the county, inspected by the county, and approved by the county. 2015, we don't have a written record for this one, but somebody visited our golden on the grounds and said, "Hey, if you got more than 10 RVs or campers on this site, you got to get yourself a a tax receipt." So, he applied for it. He paid for it. Pays for it every single year. He's never missed a year. So by 2015, we're up to almost 50 years not only of existence and operation, but partnership with this county that have been aware of the nature's religious society as a corporation, aware of its operations, permitted their improvements, inspected those improvements, scrutinized Ward Gulvin's pre-1975 development, scrutinized the improvements after Ward's death. All of this, five decades worth. But nobody ever tells you one day that you might wake up and have to prove to a person or a group of people who have no frame of reference, who've never set foot on the grounds, who have no eyewitnesses, that we're going to have to prove to these people all of this history. You don't keep records. You don't prepare for something like that. So, we're doing the best that we can with what we have. We're [snorts] here today to prove our existence, which again is troubling in and of itself. As to the presentation made by the county from the meeting agenda page 1, they conclude the documents presented contain no such evidence such as plans or construction of structures for which a building permit was issued prior to December 1, 1975, which is interesting because we're talking about camping sites. There are no structures. There was nothing constructed prior to 1975, but it doesn't mean that they weren't there. Then they go on to state that even if the sites were there, the aerial images prove that it was discontinued for more than 180 days. And all due respect, I don't think those images do anything to prove that suggestion. I've gone through all of the photographs in exhibit C, and I don't want to spend too much time on that because time is precious today. But there are items in the camping area and every single one of those photographs, but again, this is seasonal. There might have been weeks, maybe months where they didn't have a guest. This is rural Pasco County in the early 1960s and 70s. I don't think that it was no vacancy every day all day throughout the year. That is not uh an indication that the use had in any way been abandoned, [snorts] but for their own reasons, the PTE has taken all of the evidence they could find or or or purported evidence, which again to me isn't much, and they've interpreted in a manner that works most effectively against the citizens that they're supposed to be here to serve. And that's what I find so troubling. We're working to tear down the very people that they supported, inspected, and approved for over 50 years. These

aren't some interlopers from out of town. This isn't some folks that just moved here from South Jersey last year, bought 20 acres of agricultural property, and they stuck 12 RV sites out there in the name of agurism. These aren't people that are trying to get away with something. They're not trying to sidestep the rules. These people follow the rules and always have. They've been here four generations. Four family members who inherited this property from their father took an oath, swore under penalty of purges, per p perjury that they grew up in and around this property and the surrounding 220 acres that these folks have been camping here since the 1960s. Their affidavit are in exhibit B, sworn to. All four of them, personal knowledge, grew up running around barefooted around this place, saw it with their own eyes. There's not a single county employee that has seen this place with their own eyes, especially not in the 1960s or the 1970s. And you can say what you want at the top of page seven from a bunch of people who have no frame of reference and no independent knowledge of any kind. The PTE did not give the affidavit much weight because all of the people who submitted an affidavit have a vested financial interest as officers or directors of the Naturist Religious Society Inc. So make no mistake that is a polite and professional way of saying that you are a pack of liars. That's what they're saying. That's what they're saying. as politely and professionally as they can. We don't believe you and you're here trying to perpetrate a fraud on Pasco County.

Passing the board, not entertaining the crowd.

It's a profound position to take and that's the point to look these folks in the face and tell them you are a liar. We do not believe you. We're going to scrape together some aerial photographs and tell you that your lived experience, what you witnessed yourself, where you grew up, didn't happen, didn't exist. What your father did in the 1950s didn't happen, doesn't exist, is is again, it's it's a little profound and it's a little saddening. I'm going to close because I'm up against time and I'm starting to get a little fired up, which I promised I wouldn't do. Um, but the PDE is ignoring these folks history. Um, you folks today have a chance to do the right thing. I'm asking you to deny the relief that's being sought by the PTE, overturn the findings, uh, and find that the Naturist Religious Society Incorporated has been continuously operating this camping area since before the uh, zoning code went into effect on December 1, 1975. because that's the truth and that's the only conclusion that the evidence supports. So again, I I thank you for the time today. I, Mr. Chairman, thank you for the additional time. Getting through 60 years worth of history is tough to jam into five minutes. So I I truly appreciate it. Thank you.

Are we able to ask questions?

Sure.

Okay. Um question for you. When I'm looking at the maps, and I actually had asked for a map overlaid with your maps to the the county maps just to make sure I could see it uh to where Buckley Loop was and what was there. Yes, sir.

Um, the pictures you submitted, I think 73, I'm trying to look to find them right now. 73 shows nothing there, but 77 does. And I'm trying to get to the exact pages. So, did you you had from the Department of Transportation?

I'm assuming you're speaking of photographs that were provided by PTE. I think they came from you. They're from It says Buckley Loop. This is county.

I don't think so.

That would be

Oh, that's county. Okay. All right. So, you don't have any any aerial shots?

No. Starting in 73. And again, I'm I'm looking at the shot from 73. The Buckley Loop. I mean, there's there's clearly a camper right there. I mean, I can see it plain as day. And I think that you have to keep in mind this is rural Pasco County in 1973 in the middle of 200 some odd acres. You pull in with your wife, you strip your clothes off to enjoy yourself on the weekend. You setting up in the shade or you setting up in the bald open.

All those big live oaks down there to the right of the structure that you can plainly see. Um the testimony of the Gulvin family and what I'm presenting on their behalf is that the shade was the popular spot, which is not a stretch. I mean, my goodness, who who's going to set up out there in the bald open when you've got these big, beautiful live oak trees producing all that shade?

Okay. All right. So, I I'll agree. In that picture, it does show that there's a trailer there, 77 as well, and the other ones as well. Uh, let me go with Luchi. Um,

so the letter you have, it states that the new service was back in 75. Uh, does July 15th work for the date? I think as long as it's prior to December 1. Yes, sir.

And I don't think it's required that we have electricity. This is just a piece of evidence indicating that the operation

trying to see if it's legit relevant or not. So,

yes, sir. So December 1st, 1975. If there's a building permit provided such construction is completed by December 1st, 1976. appears to be the magic language.

So would you consider that with Luchi Electric Service would qualify as

it's one of the things that you can look at. Yes.

Okay. All right. And on the back of the letter uh does have addresses all from Buckley Loop. Does that seem to be appropriate to justify the position? So my concern is more with the abandonment for 180 days than it is I mean there appears to be evidence that that they didn't have 12 RVs out there for more than 180 days in on multiple photographs.

Okay. I I want to make sure I understand the standard here. Is the suggestion that there had to be 12 at all times? You couldn't undergo a seasonal change or a period of time where maybe you had no guests, a an upstart business in the 1970s in rural Pasco County can't exist for a period of time with no customers and no guests without it being an abandoned entity. The corporation's been continuous.

You are trying to get rights on a non-conforming basis for 12 RV units. Yes, sir.

That means you need 12 RV units there.

Sure. And what I would posit is that there are probably periods of time where there were well in excess of 12 units on that property

and that would be illegal.

Understood. This all predates the code. And that's that's the point. That's the overarching point here is that all of this predates any of these rules. All of this was done. All of this was known to the county. This is not something that they drove up on and discovered in 2023. What about the tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands of dollars that we've spent in a reliance on county approved permits and inspections and infrastructure in for a vested rights determination?

Sir,

you know why I'm here, sir.

Well, chair,

you got the wrong you got the wrong venue to be arguing vested rights. Commissioner Waitman.

All right, enough of the legal talk here. So this this place has been around for a long time, a very long time. We we looked at when we discussed the Palm Winds project. We knew it was there. Something obviously happened that triggered the county to take a look at this little bubble in the once middle of nowhere. There's a few houses around it now. Quite [clears throat] frankly, I have no problem with with there being camper sites here. Um and how there there's got to be a path a path forward. Um talk with county administrator travel park special exception. I mean this this place has been around a long time. We continue to make decision as progress happens this county. It it squeezes out lifestyles that have been around this county. And I've talked about this time and time again. squeezes out lifestyles and the way things kind of were and and they're they're allowed to live and let live until project comes in progress comes in and interrupts what's going on there. I think as long as it's cleaned up, there's not a pollution problem, let it live. And so I don't know if staff there's a way there's a way forward to to to make this work. But you're you're punishing somebody and folks who've owned this property and operated a similar type of business since before what you say, Mr. Char, 60 years.

1958. Yes, sir.

So, I mean,

Yeah, I can have David Engel come up. I mean, and he can talk about what that path forward could look like if they're willing to go down that path.

Thank you, Mr. Shar. We may pull you back up, but actually we do. Okay.

Yeah, I do. Hang on.

Um, is there I I was looking and I couldn't find it anywhere. Is there any on the website showing that there's RV space available?

You're talking about on the the Naturist Resorts website? Yeah, I what I've been led to is basically um one of one information on what Sunshine Beach Club um

yeah, we don't have a they don't have a website.

Yeah, because it says it's permanently closed.

Well, it's it's not permanently closed. It's it's they they've never had a website. This is this is one of those things that again that's been around. It's it's it's known in and amongst the uh naturist crowd as it were and they get the guests that they get and they always have and a website's not something that they've ever felt the need to to mobilize.

Okay. Because people uh were asking questions and then the answers were you better contact the Sunshine Beach Club administration and they'd give the number. So

yeah, I don't know what the Sunshine Beach Club is, ma'am. I'm sorry.

Oh, okay. Okay. Can I also

Mr. Stark? Yes. I'm on the Facebook and it says First Capital Realy Investments Sunshine Beach Club Nature's Park for sale 58 acres with 77 lots and existing 120 acre clothing optional subdivision.

Contact Dayton Johnson. Is that

okay? There there there might be marketing efforts related to trying to sell the property. I those I'm not familiar with.

It's got the addresses here, the norththeast corner of Colony and Fairwinds Road.

Sure. And it's it sounds it sounds like their real estate broker is here. he is with us and he might even be able to answer questions related to his efforts to market the property for sale, but I I can't speak to those.

Um, is this a So, this is an RV um this is a mobile home community or an RV travel park.

Well, it's it's it's neither. Um, it's it it started as a a resort. And again, back in the 1950s when Mr. Golden platted this thing. If you look at the almost the perimeter around the area in question, you'll see teenytiny little lots that they sold off to folks that wanted ownership, a place that they could come stay seasonally, things of that nature. He had a clubhouse. He had some amenities. He had things of that nature. It was never it was never really operated as an RV park or a mobile home park. Again, it started with very humble beginnings. It started as just this is the camping area. And then as they got additional infrastructure, they improved that camping area slowly, incrementally over time. And now as it's constituted since the early 90s, I think you've got kind of the what we would call the finished product that's with the paved sites and the hookups and everything that comes along with it. But it again, it's been it's been in consistent operation from the beginning. It's just taken on different, [snorts] you know, uh different facets in terms of of of improvement and infrastructure. So my my question to you is because if it's a travel trailer

it can't and you know may I don't know tell me correct me it can't be there for more than six months in this county.

I I would defer I would defer to you on that

structures attached to it

that I I

it's all about how we pay for government services and there's a difference between a mobile home and a travel trailer.

Yes ma'am. Certainly. and and and

I use the word what I'm seeing here from the pictures I'm looking at. So, uh it's like a free-for-all in there.

Okay. One of the things as we just mentioned, you may not see things in there for 6 months. Well, if it's 180 days, I mean, it's it's understandable if they pick the best six months, then other people are going to come the other six months. So,

as far as having this continuous would be a difficult

Well, and it looks like we're kind of straddling the line between

you don't have it there long enough and then on the other side of the bench it's there for too long. So, I where where do I find that that middle ground?

Commissioner Wman.

Yeah. So I mean you look at our our our our district is known for some more commercialized famous nude resorts internationally famous known for and there's RV sites there that are I mean some of those RV sites they're they're selling for a lot of money in Caliente and they're nice and they're paid and they're full hookup and people come in they're class A's and they stay for a period of time and then they they leave or they go wherever. So, um, you know, it's just a different experience at Caliente than this one. So, there's similarities between the two. One's more resort, this is more nature. Um, so when you look at, you know, people not being there full-time, the same things going on a little further down the road, off 41.

Then again, they can't stay there more than

Yeah. But I but I have travel RV parks where they've moved in permanently

permanently.

But we're staying right here.

And I just

we need to focus on what we got here though.

All right. Um any other questions for the applicant. All right. I see David Angel. David, you want to come forward?

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Good afternoon. David Angel, planning and economic development director. Um, there is a path forward in our land development code. That would be via a special exception. Uh, I would point out that the applicant did apply for a special exception for this property for travel trailers and I believe 2024, but withdrew the application, but we could we could resurrect that application and we'd be glad to have an exploratory meeting with the applicant and give them the path forward and we'd help them out.

Let me ask

Oh, 2004, excuse me, was

wait. So, let me ask a question. If the board decides that this was 12 lots for mobiles, they've had it for

RVs,

for RVs, they've had it for all this time, do they need to go through that process?

No. If you find them to be a non-conforming use,

right,

they would be limited to the number of units that you say that they're that were non non-conforming. Um, if they wanted more than that, then they would have to go through the special exception process.

Okay. All right. Any other questions? All right. So, this is a public hearing. Is there anyone else here from the public like to speak?

I do I do have one quick question.

Oh, okay. Mr. Jagger.

Yeah. Um, so do you already have all the um all the infrastructure there like to for the setup for the sewer and everything?

Oh, yes, ma'am. And like I it's it's actually turned over. I mean, we had

Do you have a current picture of what it looks like now?

I don't. No, ma'am. Not on me. But I did want to speak to the 2004 application because there's an important point that needs to be made there. That was not an application that was made by the owners. That was an application that was made by a prospective purchaser that used the owner's name with their permission because they wanted to explore increasing the density. As you guys see all the time, they submitted some applications, did some due diligence, had some meetings to see if they could increase density because it would have been an attractive piece of property for them to purchase. After their meetings kind of fizzled, they determined that it wasn't suitable for their needs, they withdrew the application. That that had nothing to do with the Gulvin family or the naturist resort, even though their name is in fact attached to it. That's

that was how that was presented.

Okay. All right. All right. Uh we're going to go to public comment.

Thank you.

Uh anyone here from the public like to address this item?

Okay. Does staff want to make any other comments?

Um I'd like to hear from Amy again.

She says she's good.

Well,

do you have a question?

I just don't have a question. I bring her up. But

yeah, just refresh me on on why staff is recommending denial. Thank you. Amy Tol, Planning, Development, and Economic Growth. So, the only thing that we would like to add is the fact that the reason why we're here is that there was a stipulated judgment agreement that required them to seek a non-conforming use determination. Based on the findings that they provided to us, we could not fact check that they that the 12 RV spaces have been in place since n before 1975.

Subjective Interesting. Chair,

Commissioner Wman, what triggered this?

Uh, it was a code violation

from where? Uh,

I'm not sure. Off. I I can pull up the code violation if you want to give me a minute. It's up to you.

It's buried in it's I mean, you have to work and this place has been around for a long time.

So, I'd be curious if it if it was county initiated or not.

I don't have an answer that to that right now, but I can take a look at the violation. I'd like to know

is is this area is this a gated community?

No.

Uh

no. So anyone can drive through the

nud they may be private roads but I don't I mean it's not a gated community in the in the concept that you normally attribute it to a gated community

site visit. Commissioner Stark.

No [laughter]

I'm busy.

Yeah. and with the plat that was provided to us, this area is dedicated as a park which is also part of the parcel that is for all of the open space and the ride ofways. So based on that finding,

well there is no dedication because it's a non-recorded plat and there is no dedication on the plat.

So it just says park

and the parcel ID for the road.

This one goes to Mr. driver. I whether it whether it's camping ground park or park as you normally would see it. I

precisely thank you.

Yeah.

Okay.

Okay. All right. So, it's to the board and uh did I ask for comment online? Any

No comments online?

Okay. All right. So, now it's back to the board for further discussion.

Well, chair, I I'd be open to help helping this property find a path forward. I have no problem with having it be 12 units and as long as you know it's a clean place and uh you know it's not polluting the environment let people camp and uh camp how they want to. Is there a second?

I'll help. I'll make a second. And the reason for it is it's been here for all this time. They had the electrical hookups. Um it's clearly to me shown that 12 lots should be there um and have been there for all this time. There's seasonal flows that'll happen just with people in the summertime. They're not going to want to be done or they're going to be somewhere up north.

I'd really like to see a picture of it today. Like is there any way to pull that up?

I went to the We we we take away the ability we thank you chair sorry take the ability away to have camping space you know what's going to happen come in reszone and then you take away a little bit of nature and outdoor space that that's in this area a lot of development to the north places like this have become really you know a unique piece of our history if they're able to be saved before land comes in reszoned and densities increased so you know in a way I view this is almost like preserving some level of of park space um and green space in our county. So there's a double edge on this

and and I think when you look at it's people bought this land many many years ago. They've run it how they wanted to run it. This is still America. Should be able to keep doing it as long as they're going to meet the terms of the 12 units. Uh at this point if they want to change it, they can come back and try to change it. That'll be their call. But as of right now, I think they're entitled to the 12 units just because of the history that shows they had the electoral setup. Um, areas show that there was a camp released there before or on 1973 by the DOT map that this is has been functioning.

So, is this what it currently looks like?

Yes, ma'am. To my knowledge, that's an accurate depiction of what's out there. I mean, I don't know like this morning, but

Okay. So, so you don't have the paved sites or the Do you have the the sewer and the the water hookups and everything?

Oh, yes ma'am. Yes, ma'am.

Okay. So, each each site is like a designated

correct. And that was kind of the evolution of it over time. At first, it was just an area.

Okay.

You came in, you got directed to the area over by Buckley Loop set up over there anywhere because there there was no infrastructure, but now it's more traditional. If you've been to a campground, you absolutely you got to position your rig just right so that you can get power, water, sewer all hooked up. That's the nature of it now. And again, that that kind of happened over time.

Okay. And that's that's kind of what I wanted to know, like is it is it truly like a designated camping area where you just back in?

Yes, ma'am. It's not a free-for-all anymore. No, ma'am.

Mr. Oakley.

So, it's a they have actual sites, camping sites with the water and and the power source each site.

Yes, sir.

Are they designated a certain size? a certain size

for each site. If there's 12 sites there, how big are they? Or they are they defined?

I can't answer to that. Uh Mr. Oakley, I don't know.

It looks like they're pretty big.

I mean, you've got a lot of open space.

No way to tell from that map.

I'm saying looks like you can get a 40ft rig as long as it's like a designated spot for camping where you back it in and have all the hookups.

Yeah, sure. I mean, it looks like Thanks, Chair. I mean, it looks like you even have some dry camping going on, too. I I don't know. It looks like a fun place whether you clothed or not.

Mr. Mr. Golden tells me that I didn't know you was one of those.

Well, you know, you got yol yolo [laughter] things you learn meeting.

You only live once.

Mr. Golden tells me that they're they range from 30 feet to 50 feet in length.

I'm fine with it.

No.

All right. So, there was a motion and a second.

Can we get clarification on a motion?

Yeah.

Motion was Commissioner Webman. Commissioner Mariano did the second.

Yes. It was for denial.

No, it was for approve it was for approval of a non-conforming use for 12 units on the area shown in the application.

Yeah,

that's good enough. Close enough. Close enough.

All right. Any further discussion? All in favor say I.

I. Any opposed?

Nay.

Nay. Okay. Motion passes 3 to2.

It's all my business today, folks. Thank you.

Thank you. It's been an interesting day, Mr. Chair. Indeed.

It's been a great first meeting [laughter] for you as chair so far.

They have the best for me.

Brings out a lot of excitement. Okay.

P87.

P87. Proof of publication, Tampa Bay Times, October 1st, 2025, and by affidavit of certified mailings and site postings. Nectorios playing development economic growth. P87 is PD267882. This is a zoning amendment in the name of Rowan Industrial MPUD master plan unit development by Rowan Road LLC. It's a resoning request from a PO2 professional office district between MPUD master plan unit development to allow for the development of 20,000 square feet of select I1 light industrial park district uses and associated infrastructure approximately 1.8 acres. This comes to you with the recommendation to approve the proposed zoning amendment subject to attached conditions of approval. This is the companion to the earlier comprehensive plan amendment that you uh that you heard. There's a presentation if if so desired. Commission waving

want to ask about the little local.

Oh well Terry [laughter] guessing

it was on there from the last No this is a companion. So this was on here from um

it was on

that's where it should be in the MPD not not in the comp plan. So I'm assuming that's

so we're we're loaded locked and loaded on live local here. Number four.

Thank you, chairman.

Yes.

Trust but verify.

Oh, condition number 31. Yes.

Thank you.

Okay. Anyone like a presentation?

Okay. Want to hear from the applicant?

This is on consent. So,

Oh, it's on consent. All right.

If you just ask

moving to consent agenda. All right. You guys threw me way off.

Yeah. [laughter]

All right. So, consent agenda. Is there any opposition from anyone in the audience? Anyone online?

No one online.

Okay, we'll leave it on consent. And P88, proof of publication, Tampa Bay Times, October 22nd, 2025, and by affidavit of certified mailings and site postings.

P88 is PTE 260023. This is a comprehensive plan amendment in the name of CPA 25004, Herod Sandy Lakes. This is providing for transmitt to of a comprehensive plan amendment to the future land use maps 2-15 and sheet 19 changing from res 9 residential nine drilling units per gross acre and IL industrial light to IIL industrial light on approximately 75.017 acres of real property at located at the southwest corner of the intersection of interlocking road and gun highway. Uh this comes to you with a recommendation to authorize the transmitt of the proposed comprehensive plan amendment to the department of commerce and other reviewing agencies. There is a presentation if so desired.

Anyone want a presentation?

No chair just normal question. I know the answer but live locals on this one. Thank you.

Okay. And any opposition from the audience?

Anyone online?

No one online.

All right. Leave that on consent agenda. May I have a motion for the consent agenda? So move second.

Second.

All in favor say I. I.

Any opposed?

P89.

P89, proof of publication, Tampa Bay Times, November 9th, 2025 and November 16th, 2025.

Good afternoon. Joanne Ravita, Real Property Division. Sorry. The real property team has received a petition to vacate a portion of an undeveloped platted right ofway and utility easement filed by Compass Land USA fund 1L LP. The purpose of the vacation is to allow for the lots to be combined for future development. There were no objections to this petition. The team recommends approval.

Compass Land owns the property on the front.

It owns the property. Oops. Apologies.

It owns the property to the east of the right of way.

Can you put the map up, please?

Yeah.

They own all of the lots. They also own the tract behind the lots. Tract A.

Tract A. A

block 209. You said track day A.

You can't see it. It's behind. It's the area to the right of the utility ement.

So, are these

Commissioner Stark?

Are these zoned mobile home lots? What are what are these?

Honestly, I don't know what they were zoned.

How do you access any of this property? I mean, we're taking out the road that accesses the property.

It it is an undeveloped road. You can see that there's a roadway behind it that they'll have access from.

They'll access Gilbert Street.

Yes. If that's if that's the road I can't see it from here. If that's the roadway to the east of tract A. Yes, that is the access point.

So, where the one you just you just flipped by?

Yeah.

Put that one back.

Yeah. I was looking to

No, put the one up that that's within their agenda package, please.

No, one more. That one.

Yes.

So, they'll be accessing Gilbert Street to Ember or Haden to get up to Moon Lake.

Yes.

All right. Who owns the land to the left thick line all the way down to Haden?

I believe actually Pasco County. Could you is it possible to pull that up?

Are you going to pass a mapper over there?

Yes.

Thank you. I'm trying to get it up over here. There it is. I'm not sure I want to give anything up.

Go up into the west. Other west. Shrink it just a bit. It's It's north of that It's north of that circle thing.

That [snorts] circle thing is Haden, right? You're on it. Um,

are we going to check to see who owns that piece?

No, to the to the left side.

To the left. Yeah.

Well, that's us, right?

Yeah. Should be Pasco.

Yeah, that's our road.

So, we own it. So, we got a road ready to come in a development right in front of it. I don't think we own it vacated, do we?

To the Can you Gina, can you click on the area to the left?

Yeah, right there. and go right beside that the roadway. No, no, to the right.

To the right and down low. Right. Just a little lower. No, you want to go up too far. The square past the square toward the road. I'm looking at the the roadway that was down here. The big red stopped part of the way. I'm looking

That's it. We own it. That's a

right there.

That's us.

I don't think we want to vacate that. I know. I'm

going to come in. I'm going to have them want to come have them come down that way. I would think

I don't want more.

Yeah. Strange.

The area that they're looking to vacate is an unimproved platted rightway. Um transportation and engineering was consulted and the limits of the vacation were adjusted to comply with any future rightway needs for any future widening of the Moonlife Road.

Huh. We haven't even built anything there yet.

No. I mean, if that development comes in, they're all alongside that. I want that road. I want them to put build that road.

What do What is the applicant trying to do? And I see the attorneys behind you.

Yes.

Why don't Why don't we get the presentation from the applicant and see see what their argument is?

Hang on, Commissioner. speak.

Is this property kin to this property we just looked at about the 12 units?

No.

Just so happens it's right next door.

No, this way.

This is Moon Lake.

Yeah, this is Moon Lake. The other one's about 52.

Oh, some of that looked the same as that other project we looked at.

When she went to map her, it started with it had the old

because we were on that

that graphic, you saw the the mobile homes,

right? just just because that's what the last thing in mapper was.

So now now we've moved to

Okay. All right. That's what that's

I got you.

Would you like to hear from the

petitioner's attorney?

From the applicant. Yes.

Thank you. Shelley Johnson, 6400 Madison Street and I have been sworn. Um just to explain what's going on. My client owns lots 6 through 18. Um if you commissioner Mar I understand what you're saying too with regards to the the Moon Lake Road rightway. This is actually a remnant piece of rightway um that it was platted. Um facilities management and and the county and real estate have looked at it. There's nothing that it'll be utilized for. Um it's not the road's not headed that direction. You can see it kind of starts it's going, you know, obviously to the west. Um they did try to move up. I don't know if you can tell from one of the pictures. They did try to push what they were vacating like a little bit north um of where you know it's the closest to Moon Lake Road on that southern side just to make sure that if there is anything extra on that curve that they're going to need that they could utilize that. Um but it's it's a remnant right away from a from a plat that is never going to be used. Um and then they've got the five foot utility easement on the back that they like likewise have looked at and there's nothing that it would ever be used for as well. So, it's really just being vacated to be added to the lots to make them larger, nicer lots. That's really

Click on the Click on the roadway again.

I mean, we got a whole network that's set up and now we're going to go get rid of it and change it because the must come into the side. I mean, that's a good little layout there.

Yeah. I mean, I the only thing I understand is facilities manage. Oh, I'm sorry. You may say nothing's going to happen to it, but with development coming in, development may be taking care of that roadway.

I was thinking the same thing.

So, yeah, you you can say they just won't matter, but this is something that was laid out. I think it's a pretty good layout that could could lead to real good stuff down the road for it. So, I don't want to see it. I don't want to see it taken away. We'll never get it back. And with developers nowadays to try to get stuff done, if you don't have the control of the land, you get nothing.

Exactly. I mean, I would request if there's if there is concern about it. I wasn't I didn't know there was going to be an issue um that we continue it so that we can kind of discuss it a little bit further because I do know that facilities management, everybody looked at it and they didn't see that there would be any use for it in the future. So,

but it's this board's decision whether or not to vacate these

propert I mean if they

put that box so that we can see it again.

Thank you.

I mean if you want to bring something back sometime I'm happy to meet with you on it. I'm sure Commissioner Jger would be happy to meet with you on it but at this moment to just vacate that roadway I don't I don't want to give up that network that was laid out. I got areas up in Hudson that have these vision roads or roads that are laid out that haven't been developed yet, but eventually they may come and until they come out, I I wouldn't take away what was there before.

No, I hear I understand. Yes. I mean, I guess I'll request a continuence so that we can kind of dig into it a little bit more so I can provide you even more information about, you know, that corner and the engineering on it. Unfortunately, um, our engineer, Mr. Moody, is not here today, too, because he could probably provide a lot of insight into it as well.

Um, when I'm looking Starky,

thank you. When I'm looking at the map, um that's a giant wetland. Uh see where Haden is. So,

uh you can I mean that most a lot of that property is not even usable. I don't know why we'd give up that road. I I just I mean, no one's going to build on that. They shouldn't be.

Yeah. I mean, I think that was kind of the staff's when they looked at it, they felt like it was really just a remnant piece that was never

our road looks good. Yeah. Property looks bad.

Yeah. [laughter] And that's why they tried to push it.

Get our property because your property looks bad.

I mean, that's what I'm saying. I don't know. What does yellow mean?

It's a wetland

drainage area.

Class one. Yeah. I don't think your client really has any property.

Couple of lots up there at the top.

Yeah. You know, it'll probably be a couple nice big lots that he'll build on.

That'd be better.

Yeah. I mean, that's what their intention is in terms of trying to vacate this to kind of given that they are remnants and, you know, not being utilized. So,

so you want a continuence?

Yeah, that's fine. If that if that's, you know, if that's if that's okay, we can kind of bring, you know, if there's concern about it, I definitely want to be able to answer the board's questions.

Public comment on this.

Yes. com.

All right. All right. Let's take a break for a minute and see if there's any public comment. Is there anyone from the audience like to speak to this item?

Is there anyone online?

No one online

to the board. So, your January meeting in Newport Richie would be the 20th. Correct. So my recommendation would be that you continue it until the January 20th uh 2026 meeting at 1:30 as soon thereafter is same may be heard.

All right. I'll make a motion to move to continue uh January 20th 22nd.

Is that what you said?

20th.

Oh the 20th.

Uh 2026. Time certain.

Second.

Okay. Any further discussion? Not time certain but certain 130 certain thereafter is

Did I say 1:30?

We have a motion to

continue time date certain.

Date certain.

Um any further discussion?

All in favor say I.

I.

Okay. Continue. That will bring us to committee reports. District one. Commissioner Oakley. Okay.

What about

here?

This one 88.

Oh, yeah.

An 8.

Yep. This is when we uh

Okay. Sorry.

We went out to

I didn't flip my

Advent Health at West Chapel and uh cut a ribbon on the new construction for the sixth floor of the hospital. um very nice improvement to the area and of course I think there was 24 beds on that floor if I'm not mistaken but that was that item we did and then the last last the other item was the naming of the and cutting of the ribbon of the Wilton Simpson Senior Center and uh here you can see it here Wilton couldn't be with us that day but really um

gave it a lot of hard work and and thought in it to make sure this happened for our seniors in East Pasco County and uh a part of uh the Dade City area there. A senior center that we've needed for a long time and people are very very happy that's that's open now and they're working. So that that's all ahead. Okay, Commissioner Wen. Thanks, chair. And Bill's not here, but um a lot of staff folks were here. Very nice. Mr. Tyson's there. EDC party that Thank the Phillips um 4G uh folks

for hosting hosting us, Commission Oakley, uh for the EDC Christmas party. Very nice crowd at 4G Ranch. And again, just very appreciative of of them selling a big chunk of their land for conservation easement and wildlife corridor. um can't say it enough, but thank thank you to the land owners who choose to to sell their land at a discount. And then um coming up after the first of the year, wild that we're saying 2026. Um and thanks to Commissioner Starky for bringing forward the the board's um farm share efforts. We're doing we're doing a farm share event on January 30th uh 26 2026 um 9:00 am and uh at Life Church uh between between Oakley Boulevard and Old Pasco Road right at the intersection near Quill Hollow and Angus Valley area. And so as it it comes out I encourage folks to come out and help us help us uh provide food to folks. We chose after the first of the year then of January. We figure folks might be depleted coming through Thanksgiving and Christmas time and uh try to help them load up in the beginning of of Q1 uh in January to help them help them bounce back after an expensive Christmas season. So as it comes forward, I wish everybody come out and join us and um and uh help folks. And that's all I have. Okay, Mr. Stark. Oh boy, I'm used to going last. Okay. Um I went to the fact conference in Tampa and as you know I chair the federal committee um where I brought up and we discussed the you know the fact issues and we also take up the NGO federal issues which I'll talk about in a second but I also um continued the discussion about the um oh my goodness the uh vouchers for the housing vouchers um And um I can tell you that a lot of counties are very surprised. It's not something they normally look at, but when you when you tell tell them that Penllis County has over 60% of the voucher users are not from their county, it opens their eyes. Uh and then we also discussed the um oh gosh, what's the name of that that u one that adds all the cost?

Davis Bacon.

Davis Bacon. So, um, uh, and let them know we sent a letter and that anyone who wanted a copy of the letter, they could get it from us, but we, you know, we're going to try and move the needle on that up in Washington. Um, I do think that's something we want to add to when we go up to Washington and we need to plan on our time here uh, sometime maybe, I don't know when, but sometime. And, uh, okay. So, then I um Oh. on on the fact uh they had a breakout on um discussion on um data centers but unfortunately that's when I got a call about our legislative appropriation requests and so I had to miss that whole se session and interestingly uh at no in Texas um that was a big discussion that we had at the board of directors meeting was the data centers ers and I know we have some circling around here and uh just I think we need to get more informed to be sure that if we do get some we strike the best deal and that was the conclusion from a lot of the commissioners there. A lot of them are in the dark. Some of them there's a county in Maryland or Virginia Loun County I think it's called. They have dozens of them. Um, it's really actually messing up their county. And there's a a data center coming into North Dakota. It's two miles long, the building. Two miles long. I mean, just even wrap your head around that. So, um, we've in Washington, we we've asked at the ledge conference, we've asked for a special session just on data centers for for information gathering. Um, see what else from Nico? Oh, I have the top 10 NO initiatives. I wanted to share them with you. Let's see. I'll do it this way. Okay. And um and some of you may not know, but it's because of NATO that when COVID happened and they were giving out the money that they they pushed for the counties, large counties over 500,000 to get the money directly because always in the past it went to the state and then you were at the mercy of the state to get your initiatives approved. So, um Nico continues to um push for monies that are coming down. They're trying to do some more with FEMA to come straight to us. And these are in no particular order. It's just that um I couldn't find my other sheet that I saved from there. Safeguard local revenue sources. I could not believe how many counties were having discussions that their states are trying to take away their property tax. Of course, I knew about Texas, Indiana, Nebraska, Montana, um Idaho. They're all having property tax discussions and they're Um, everyone is doing it differently. One state, I think Nebraska, the county was able, I believe, to do a income tax, but everyone's freaking out of what over what that means to their state. So, it's not just us. Very interesting. I'm sure we'll talk about that up in Washington again. Um, safeguard local revenue sources. advocate for a fair and flexible tax policy framework that safeguards local revenue sources and flexibility for essential county

services. And they're coming out with marketing material and facts for for us to be able to help tell our story. Um disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. Um let's see, tried to do this. promote county priorities and local decision making and federal rule making around land use, environmental quality and energy development. Um, this one isn't what relates to us, which is payment in le of taxes. We don't have any federal lands in our county. Uh, promote better outcomes and behavioral health, homelessness, and criminal justice systems. And that's kind of where that issue lies where if you get arrested and you go to jail and you sit there for a while, you lose your health insurance and we got to pick it up and your whole family loses your health insurance if you're on Medicare or Medicaid. Thank you. So, um the farm bill, uh flex local flexibility to support economic mobility, uh and uh access to technology solutions, maintain election integrity, and strengthen election worker safety. So, I think that's nine. I think that's nine, and I don't know what the 10th one is. All right. I attended the Magnolia Oaks ribbon cutting along with a couple other commissioners. It looks great. Oh, that's the uh restored county courthouse. They got the CEO the day before our meeting. I just want to say um pretty cool courthouse building, right? Um it was freezing there. Freezing. Okay. Do I have a picture from Magnolia Oaks? Okay. So, there we are at Magnolia Oaks. I think those places look great. I couldn't find the Magnolia anywhere. I did see some oaks. I think we should give them some magnolia trees. Commissioner Weightman had a good idea because they paid for those trees themselves. And we were wondering if they could give us a bill. Um, we could reimburse them from our tree mitigation trust fund and they can use that money to put some more landscaping in. This whole row of houses to our left, they back up to that boat and RV storage facility and they their backyard is a chain link fence with bob wire. So, I'd love to see if we could, you know, put something there, maybe, you know, help them use that money to shield the bobbed wire view from their homes.

Um,

or commissioner or for phase two, the parking on phase two.

What?

Or could go help offset the parking on phase two, but the whole second phase to this.

Yeah. Well, we certainly want them to go for the tree mitigation money for um

Yeah, the reimbursement.

Yeah. But my gosh, these homes have bob wire in their backyard on the left. I don't know if you noticed that. It's awful.

So, keep people out.

So, is this designed this is this considered private land or the right away?

That would be Well, this is a kind of condo. So, I think it's they don't own these. This is owned by the

Who owns this? The housing authority.

The housing authority owns,

right?

Yeah. Um uh I did attend the CDBGDR meeting at um uh Ben Harrell. Uh Commissioner Commission Mariana's staff was there. It was not real greatly attended. I was disappointed. Um, and um, so I that's why we're going back to Gulf Harbors and I'm going to try and let all my people know uh, who are in that holiday area that they can come up there. I asked Katie to see if she could find a heat map of homes that were hurt in the uh storms so we could know how to figure out how to target certain neighborhoods because I'm just worried we're not reaching everybody and I want to give everybody who has the opportunity to get some help to get some help. So, we're looking for that map and um

I think it's called the Milton map. Milton, not Helen, because we weren't affected by Milton.

But I think it shows where all the water was, doesn't it? Doesn't the Milton map show where all the water?

Helen that affected us over here on the coast.

Are we talking like the aerials that that showed? Yeah, I think we did. I think we did both storms, but Milton brought the flooding, the unprecedented levels of flooding. So, those maps would

Okay. Well, I'll take both. I mean, whatever maps there are, I I'd look at both. I know my ace house got hit by Milton. Well, yeah. I think Helen hit us first. That was a big flood. Yeah. Yeah.

Though on the other side, Milton.

Although I I got flooded by Milton and Arista from the Ankote River.

So inland

inland flooding. Yes. Helen was a storm surge.

It shows Helen as well. We captured both.

Oh, it's got both.

We'll we'll we can pull those maps.

Yeah. And maybe the other commissioners would like to see it too as they have their further discussions on how to help people. Um so uh I asked um the county administrator my meetings with him yesterday about information on the hazard mitigation grant money we got. How much did we get? Not the CDBGR.

It it varies. I mean you get an allocation uh proposed allocation from the state but the state ultimately determines how much they they push forward. So for example I think during one of the storms Helen and Milton might have been around there there's several million dollars that that could be there. these.

No, we got we got like $164 million.

Yes, theund I think it was 110 and we had given 10% of that I think to Elevate Florida which was operated by the state.

Okay. So, um we have yet commissioners to see the list of projects that we're talking about um because no one's presented it to us. Um but I'm hopeful that we had a discussion. You're going to show us what we're talking about. Um

yes. And I mentioned to you before that one of the projects we did with that money that Kevin Guthrie got us got for us last time was they cleaned out parts of the Anklet River to allow for, you know, evacuation of the waters in the during when it floods. And I can tell you that the river from Little Road West is just 100% full of trees. Um Gary Blackwell owns some property that we're working on buying with Elamp money and he told me you should you could just walk all across the river up behind him. We we have got to get these rivers cleaned out and that is something you can use the the DR money or the hazard mitigation money for.

Well, didn't the Army Corps pay for Tarpon Springs to have that whole thing cleaned out?

They're dred. They're dredging.

Okay. What's too trees? What what we did um with this money was hire a con contractor who actually hired our inmate got our inmates some of them and they have all this equipment and they pulled the trees out of the river. You can actually sell that wood. It's beautiful wood. U my son used to buy that wood and make chairs out of it in college for money. Um, but we must bring back the flow of of the water

and I I think we should be approaching the Army Corps

all the rivers.

No, and Clo especially though, let's face it. Yeah.

Goes all the way up to Celtic Drive. It's it's a disaster up there when it gets flooded. But again, the Army Corps was starting down at Tarpon. We're supposed to come all the way up here. Let's bring them up here

uh for dredging the silt.

Yeah.

To clean out the whether it's silt or whatever, whatever's in there needs to come out. if they have money. I don't want to wait though. We have the We have money. We can get started more.

It's not expensive.

We'll find out what uh what the status of that is and you know if there's conveyance improvements that can come through that. That's that's what you're talking about.

Okay.

Um and then um I told the county administrator I I brought it up here before, but I want to hear from our staff. What is the procedure to get these dark arterial? Which is a bigger collector or arterial?

Arter. Arterial would be your big

is that like little road?

Yes, that's a county.

What is Starky Boulevard?

Probably a county collector, but I'm guessing.

Okay. Uh uh Trouble Creek. What is that?

Well, we're going to play Stump the Chump here, right?

I just I [laughter] need to know Trinity Boulevard. I mean, they're pitch black and there engineers behind you. And I need him to come.

He's not He's not throwing me a lifeline right there. [laughter] Come on up.

I gave him a heads up. I was gonna ask him to come up and explain the process. Um,

yes. There, you know, there's there's currently and while Nick's on his way up here, there, you know, currently in the CIP program, there are there are methods that we we go to to light streets that are not lit. Correct. So, there's there's things that have happened. Nick and I have talked about more complete streets uh with with regards to already

to to future roads even with with development. So I'd like Nick just to talk a little bit about street lights, lighting and safety improvements. So Nick, if you could.

Yeah, good afternoon Nick, county engineer. So um Trouble Creek collector road. Generally speaking, if it's anything lower than six lanes, it's probably a collector road.

Okay.

Um as as far as it goes, arterials are usually at at their buildout, they they would be either busy four-lane roads or six lane roads. Um, so that's rule of thumb. U, as far as street lights,

that's

as far as street lights go, we are currently obligating developers who are constructing any of our vision roads, our arterial and collector roads that are four lanes wide or wider to include street lights as part of the construction. We're also including street lights on any capital projects that we're doing as a county, county administered projects. So, we're installing street lights on four lane roads and wider. As far as installing lights on existing roads, we are drafting a policy and and basically the policy is going to look at three key points to prioritize installation of street lights. How busy is the road? How high is the crash rate at night? And how many driveways are there per mile? Like driveway density, which is a surrogate for how many conflict points are you trying to negotiate in the dark? So, it's a resource allocation question. and we're trying to figure out where are the most important urgent needs for street lighting and then we allocate dollars to put in the lights. There's a whole second conversation happening simultaneously about the type of installation process that we will follow. Three options on the table. One is we buy the poles and the lights and we just pay for power. We put them in, we own them, we pay for power, but then we have to maintain those lights and poles with inventory in our shop and whatnot becomes an operational expense for the county. But it's it's frankly cheaper than paying power the power companies to lease the poles and the lights. That's option two. We can pay a power company like Wreck or Tiko and say you guys go out there, you put in the light poles, you run the wires between them, you put in the luminires, the the light bulbs and whatnot, and we lease those items from you and we pay the the power company to operate and maintain the lights along those quarters. Heavy operational expense. they amortize their capital cost and add a profit margin on top of that. So, it's the least cost-effective way to do it, but it's the fastest. Third option that we're exploring, and I know you're going to ask about this, so this is definitely on the table, is what about solar lighting? What if we just plop solar poles and panels along the corridor as a way of illuminating some of these streets? And and frankly, all three are on the table. We're trying to figure out the most cost-effective way to achieve the outcomes and illuminate the corridors.

Okay. Um, and now that we're talking about power poles, I don't know how often you guys now go down Starky to go home. Um, but if you go down Starky Boulevard, first of all, there the wait, don't leave because this invol this is going to be an engineer question. Um they didn't Starky Boulevard is designated as a scenic road. When John Gallagher was a county administrator, some older people now of which I'm one I guess um needed some lights on that bridge because we were having accidents on the bridge. So they put some lights on the bridge over the enclo. But since there was no power there, they put poles all the way down Starky and they did guywires across to hold the poles up. now that there's homes there in neighborhood four, they're coming in with these, you know, the giant ones that they're putting in everywhere and they're still using guywires. So, I'd like to know, can we please get rid of the guywires? But secondly, if you look at Longleaf neighborhood one, two, and three, we did it. The Starky family, the power poles are underground. You get to metro and neighborhood 4 and the power poles are lightening than in front of I mean it's horrible. You can see the difference of of the aesthetics of the community. Why do we not and if you drive around other counties they've got they all require the poles to be underground in front of a neighborhood like that. I I get transmission lines but why are we still allowing in this day and age those poles to be above the ground?

So these

in your neighborhood they're not. These would be power poles that we were talking about and and I think we do have a land development code regulation for residential where those things are buried. Um when you get outside of the residential to medium voltage and high voltage there there's an expense there. Sometimes developers will absorb that expense. Some developments you will see those distribution lines that are are buried before they go to neighborhoods. Um you know if it is this board's desire we could begin working on a policy or a change to the land development code to mandate that. Right now it is simply a a costbenefit. Yes. Type

I mean I think that Longleaf is the perfect example of what should not be allowed.

It's one of the things I I did do and I

How do you not notice it? It's like braces right in your face.

I did speak with Dr. Bellis to see if perhaps there might be resiliency type money available because again that's a protection of the infrastructure. Um, you know, we're not talking high voltage, right? The the very large transmission lines, that is very, very expensive to do that. But when you get along the collector roads and the arterials within the neighborhoods, that's what we're speaking to. And right now, there's not a regulation to it to my knowledge, but if the board would like us to begin drafting something for consideration, we can certainly bring something forward.

I'd like to see you bring something back to Let's go see what others have done, how they did it.

Yep.

Listen, we're just little developers, our family. We're not big multin, you know, ginormous national builders and we were able to put them underground

so they can put them under.

No, I think we bring something back. I'm good with that.

Anything else?

That's it.

Okay, Commissioner Jagger.

Okay. All right. So, we went to I had the pleasure of sitting next to Commissioner Oakley and uh across from Seth, but we did the meet and greet for the um with uh a night with Wilton Simpson. That was really nice. So, they had um the Republican clubs there and Seth so graciously told anybody if they had any um questions to come let us know. So, so uh everyone was able to get their questions answered.

Who's who's next to you?

Oh, that's Brad. Oh, that's uh Doc Dr. Zeti, she went for the uh school board.

Okay.

Uh in for uh Dr. Le. Okay, next one. I was at the two I was at the 18th annual prayer breakfast. Uh that was great. Um Dr. Le was the guest speaker and he had a he had a great story. Um it it was very very moving. Sheriff Nako was there. Everybody everybody was there. It was a great event. It was beautiful. It was put on by the Y. Um, then I was at the Pasco EDC holiday social at 4G Ranch. The only picture I took was Joanna and I. So that was all that was on my camera roll.

I can't go to that anymore now that I have the board of directors meeting every first week of December.

And then um I attended the Magnolia Oaks ribbon cutting ceremony for the veterans housing. So that was great. I love uh they have the one, two, and threebedroom options. and uh what a blessing to our community. So they just need they're waiting for funding for the second phase. So very excited about that project and thanks again to with Luchi. And uh Sunday I went to the PBA's Christmas party at um in St. [clears throat] Pete. So that was very nice. The police association and that's all I have.

Okay. and Mr. Garbella.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. So, in reviewing expenditures, um I always think it's prudent just to see if the board had any appetite to take a look at our lobbyists. As you know, we we currently have um contracts with four lobbyists, one federal, three state, and uh these contracts are good until 2027 plus some option years. So, um, you know, there's you don't have to necessarily make any alterations, but I feel it's just prudent just to have have that discussion and just see if the board is, uh, you know, either reaffirm the course that we're on or or pivot if necessary. Um, starting with the federal, uh, we we currently have Ballard on board at an annual, uh, fee of 96,000 a year. Um the board uh during its deliberations opted um to select Ballard over its uh over its incumbent uh Vanco. Um so I guess my my first question is is you know are we comfortable with the current course of action? Do we wish to make any changes?

Commission.

I just like to move back to the gentleman we had before the incumbent.

Second.

I think he did. I actually found out more a after we let him go than I knew before we let him go about what he really did for us. And I have a good feeling of what he was doing for us before better than what we got this past year.

Well, Mr. Chair, I would agree.

Mr. M

and I and I believe there's a way we can just go right to it. Is that correct? Well, I mean, if the consensus, and I'm trying to, you know, keep keep track here, the board is is to perhaps, you know, is to perhaps, you know, you know, move on, terminate for convenience, uh, on Ballard and and kind of go back to to Vanso. We can explore a piggyback option. Now, that doesn't mean that those contracts work. We would have to look at those contracts, make sure that they align, make sure that the scope is aligned anytime that you do that. Um, I do know that Penllis does have one. the fee is probably about at par with what this is, but we would have to review the scope and make sure of that. If we're unable to piggyback or find a um a contract that works, then you would have to go out for a solicitation for another for another federal lobbyist. So, I guess I mean I guess I would ask at this time if Go ahead. I'll

uh hold on. I I want to speak to it, but Commissioner W first.

Does Southern have a federal group? I'm indifferent on the federal lobbyists, but if Southern has a federal group, can

No, they're they're not in I don't know the answer to that question. Is Ralph here?

Mike Moore is always listening, so I'm sure he'll

maybe I didn't. Maybe I I didn't.

I don't. I thought I read that somewhere.

I've never heard they had a federal group.

I'm I'm seeing head shaking as in no commissioner. So,

right. So, I'd like to say as far as Ballard goes and with Trump coming in, I mean, he's got deep connections right inside the White House. We haven't done anything to go ask. I mean, frankly, I've been waiting for us to get signed up with a lobbyist where we go hire Dawson Associates to go through them to help. I mean, we needed help with the 404 peritting up there. Um, you know, uh, Van Skoick, I think we had them when we tried to do Sun West before, but I I I want to give Ballad more time. I I'm plann to I think Chason, we're almost we're almost set up with um be able to bring Dawson on board through the applied sciences. Okay. So, we got a chance to get something done. I've got Sunwest project which we had approved through the through the cabinet through Governor Scott and it got stuck on the Army Corps. The lead person at the Army Corps is now gone. This is a big project to get through and it's going to make a big difference in Northwest Pasco. The 404 permitting, we're going to struggle that with everywhere. I I think ballot can help us and I want to give him at least one more year because right now with everything with Trump that just went through slowed everything down with all the configurations that were going on up there he's still there for three more years if these guys have that connection that I think they still do.

So I don't you must not be aware what happened up there.

Uh but they they're not in good standing anymore. Uh and so I'm saying Ballard with I don't want to say too much. Uh but uh Jack, do you do you remember Well, it's it's in the paper, so you can Google Google what happened. Um, but if you remember when we were in Washington DC last year, um, and we were going around with B or Ballard guys and we ran into other commissioners that had Vans Skoy and they were heading to the offices in FEMA and um and and we were we couldn't get in and so I I would say that he was much better than um Vince Quake than Ballard in my opinion and

and I did get a follow-up communication from Mr. Moore that basically he said that Southern does have a federal arm. That's all I know.

I I I I found um our Vance Harry very upstanding, not going to ask us to do anything illegal um and hardworking. So I we we tried it with Ballard. I I don't think we got anything for it in this year personally. Um Ralph's the one that deals with them and so he could say I think more what was your in his interaction with Ballard versus with Vance Skoy? I'm cur Can you if you don't mind um also I have a very good friend who's very connected in the White House. Um because at one point we were looking at bringing on an in-house federal lobbyist and I talked to my friend and he said absolutely do not do that. That's a waste of your money. I will help you. So um

do what?

He said he will help us

do what? with the things that we need to get done instead of as a as a pro bono internal federal. And I so I I asked him to help us with something at a dinner party and he immediately texted his staff uh to see um if what committees Ashley was on and I've been to their house and they Ashley's there for dinner and I we really good relationships.

Why don't we continue this to the next board meeting? Uh let me have that contact as well. share it with the others, but I'm willing to discuss it further and then look into everything. But let's continue with the next meeting. We'll talk about talk about it then. Everyone can do their own research, what they want to do. Commissioner.

Yeah, chair. I mean, learning that that Southern very pleased with Southern at the state level. I mean, I'd like to see what their what the opportunities are budget-wise at the federal level and what who their team is for taking a look at it. Then we just consolidate contracts

if it if there's an appetite for it.

I I don't I'm leaning more to your your connection.

I'll share it with you.

So, why don't we continue this? We'll bring it back for for an item. Okay. So, I will bring back a uh a item on [laughter] an item related to federal federal lobbyist discussion. Um and I'll I'll craft something up that uh tries to tie in at least some things that I've heard today. Um maybe that's the answer for the second one, but I would like to discuss the state lobbyists as well. As you are aware, we originally had one lobbyist that was Sunrise Consulting. It's been been long time. We went through the selection process with the idea to select perhaps an extra an additional lobbyist and um the board the board opted to hire three lobbyists. And so I guess it's the same question. Each of those uh each of those firms Sunrise um Southern and Advocacy Partners uh each have a fee of $60,000 each. Um and my my question to the board is is the same. Do we wish to exist, you know, maintain those existing contracts, uh, or terminate one or more for convenience or do something different?

I would point that to January as well.

Commissioner Jagger,

um, I will restate my I I am for having two lobbyists, not three. I I don't think we had our, um, return on our investment for on three lobbyists. I think it's unnecessary and with the county trying to cut costs, I think it's just an add an expense that we don't need. Michelle,

I also believe that we need to uh just have two instead of three. Uh Sean Foster has done a great job for the county for a long time and I believe Southern has come come forth and done also as well. uh Tallahassee, they they seem to show up sometimes, but then we didn't know who they were or what they were doing there because we didn't know the person they sent to some of our meetings. And so I'm I'm satisfied with the two Sunrise and Southern

Commission W. Thanks, Chair. Uh with Commissioner Oakley and Commissioner, you're ready to go to two and uh keep Southern and Sunrise and move on from advocacy. And I'll say that um you know I think Sunrise and Southern have been great. I think that you need to appreciate you know we every zoning we go through what do we deal with? Live local. Live local. I think it could have got a lot worse in Tallahassee if we didn't have the advocacy group fighting with the governor to to listen to what we're doing. Uh that can still come up again with all the cuts they're going to go try to do. I think you need the voice closest to the governor, which is the reason I wanted them added from the get-go because you can have two branches, you don't have that third one, could cost us a lot of money, a lot more than what we're paying these guys. And of the three of them, they all work together great. I think it's easily the best money we're spending on anything we're doing.

Well, Flip Local, we're ready to fire a lawsuit. At least I am. Was hoping to beat Hillsboro. I don't think we will. little jealous, but um I I I didn't see I didn't I didn't from my offic's standpoint uh no updates out of the advoc advocacy group. We got updates from Sunrise and Southern regularly and um from a customer experience it fell flat. Well, I think you know the response is I think we're supposed to have one group that was going to be leading with all of us rather than all three of them. Um, so maybe Southern and Sunrise jumped in more. But I'm telling you for the back of the situations working with the governor's office. You may not see it. They may not come to the meetings, but they're in there and I tell you they're they were fighting for us.

Mr. Starky,

um, I I agree with you. Um um but I wouldn't cut just a session starting. If if I was going to pair from three to two, I'd do it after July 15th and see and see who

who worked for us and what did we get. Why why cut it when you're just going for your appropriation?

That's a brilliant idea.

Yeah. So, I would say let's let's relook at that and everyone really pay attention. I think you should maybe even test the our lobbyists with special requests and see how they come through. Um, but I would suggest we revisit this on July 16th.

Just one thing I want to add is that we're we're going to be fiscally responsible and we're supposed to be trying to cut costs right now and that's an easy way. I I don't feel like we need three. We We've been operating on two

operating on one

or one. I mean, and we we did really well. I I I I just think responsibility wise we we only need two. But

and and I and I'm going to agree with you on the um the updates. I don't want three. I just want one. So, and I think that they had um kind of delegated it to to Shawn, but we were just getting the southern ones because they they do it for all their clients. I'm sure if we asked the advocacy group to give their update, they'd send us I mean, because that's a standard thing they're pumping out for all their clients.

They were supposed to be doing that all along, but yeah, we didn't hear much.

So, let me let me throw one thing to you. So when we had live local that was live when Pasadoma was pushing it through and I'm meeting in there with

Oh yeah.

Pasadomo with Sean right

and what did Pas do Pasma do?

See she she was on angry

all day. Wasn't going to hear it.

Talk to my staff. Talked to my staff and she did exactly what she wanted to do. Even though she said she was going to change it, she didn't change it. And I'm telling you, the only thing that saved us was having that governor's office connection. I've been there. I've seen it. And if you don't have all three, all you need is one good link to go. But if you don't have the governor's office with you, anything can go because they're going to Hey, it's going to be another battle this year. Did I hear Senator Albertton stepping down?

What

is he?

Yeah, he's stepping down.

He's stepping down after this one. He had enough.

Oh, okay. I I kind of got that when I was with him in Tallahassee.

So, I mean, I thought you meant right now. You mean after the session?

There's going to be crazy times up there. I'm talking. If you don't have the governor's ear,

you're in trouble.

You're I mean, for 60 grand, is that what it is? 60 grand.

Yeah. Our ROI.

I mean, think about it. This is like easy. Every every single zoning we

agree that ROI,

make sure you're talking about live local. Let me tell you, up there, that's where it's going to get done.

Well, not not only is it live local, we have Senate Bill 180 that has to get fixed. I mean, we can't even do our comp plan update. You need a voice in every branch and and two cards the epis group as your one for up in the governor's office. H. However, I do want I do want to have discussions with our lobbyists on property tax and I want to make sure um FAC has sent out I haven't even had time to look at it an analysis for each county on how it affects each county and we need to make sure we have educated our lobbyists on how it affects us and I you know we haven't done that. Sure. Well,

coming in,

Commissioner Stark's idea of letting it run through this session considering the timely the timeliness of it and how we're starting probably a good idea. looking at the state of play but after we don't we need to if revisit this conversation my opinion

immediately following the session or special session if we what we want to do

special session

and well they already said special session anyway with redistric until the court rules right so there's highly likely it'll be for redistric for his property taxes

again um

I mean for the sake of of timing We probably should I don't know maybe evolve the thought and let it roll through this. But they got to perform.

Yeah.

And you got to hold them to it.

Like they got to they got to compete and see who who's the 10,000lb gorilla up there. Which which one of these firms and see what we get back.

Commission, when does the governor sign?

July.

July. So I think I think I think July 15th is probably a good time to wait. So July 1, right, Ralph? July 1. No,

June 30th.

All right. So the the first meeting in July, we should have the conversation again.

Even on an early session, Ralph.

Yeah.

Because wouldn't it

that's the fiscal year, I think. Right.

That's when they take effect. When

July

when is he?

July 1st when any new legislation in the budget takes effect. But but his sign when he has to sign off is

it's usually before it's like by June 15th is usually in the past how it's done. So um in this session we end March beginning of March. So we will probably already know in April.

What are you talking what gets through as far as

which what

what are you talking about March? We could probably go 110 days again. [laughter]

But you were talking about the governor.

I know. I'm just kidding.

Okay. But yeah, uh from this session since it starts in January, um he'll have signed off on probably everything in advance by uh April, even before May. What he's talking about with special session is the governor has talked about the property tax issue and the redistricting issue.

I think we got to go through this um this session and see where they align. Right now we're where they were last year. Senate's over here. House and Governor are kind of together over here. And um they're not together yet. Still early.

Ralph, if you lose any more weight, you're not even we're not even be able to see you. [laughter]

You'd be like the invisible man.

Ralph up there.

All right. So So wait till [laughter] So we'll wait till July to talk about the state. July for state and January for federal.

January for for the federal

and we'll bring back some additional options.

If you would, Commissioner Stark, you just get me that information about their contact there.

Yeah.

Okay.

Cuz I I'll use him in the next before the next meeting. Anyway,

Mike and I have to have a um uh a conference call with him. He's been waiting for our call.

Okay. Anything else here? Uh yeah, just actually since the last board meeting here before before the holidays, I just wanted to take a moment to uh just highlight some of the things that the organization uh has been doing in our community. Uh internal services, for example, collaborated with Pasco Kids First. Uh they they purchased toys for 57 children and raised over $600 amongst themselves to donate. Uh the development services group did partner with some of our local nursing homes to provide gifts for almost 40 seniors as well this Christmas. Um uh Aviata at Ridge Haven is is the uh is the area. The public infrastructure branch uh collected donations for for our animal shelter and they're also doing a food drive for the needy in our community. And the public safety folks had sponsored over a hundred children through the angel tree program. So making sure that they all have gifts uh for for this Christmas. And of course, our public services group is is always out there at the forefront uh doing toys for tots, uh sponsoring families for uh for Christmas gifts, blood drives, seniors, um food pantries, etc. And and to cap it all off, I know some of my executive team, perhaps even some of you will be working at the at the tent over in Metropolitan Ministries uh on on the 19th. I'll certainly be there. But I'm just proud that the organization is is taking a moment to to give back to the community um and especially around this time. So, I just uh I thank the team uh for that and again, thank you for for everything that you do for our community and just wish you all a merry Christmas, a happy Hanukkah, and a and a happy new year. So, thank you.

Okay, county attorney.

I don't have anything generally, but happy holidays to you all and uh on to new year 2026.

We'll see each other what next week.

The what?

The workshop. Yeah, we have a housing workshop.

We do have a homeless discussion next week.

Is that And it's in Date City. Who Who picked that?

The chairman. He's our friend. [laughter]

He didn't do it.

It's not all the way in Date City. It's almost

I'm going to come I'm going to cover that item in just a second.

Uh anything from the clerk's office?

Uh yes.

Ridiculous. There's three. [clears throat]

Nikki left me with two updates to provide to the commissioners. First, Nikki's office offic's department of inspector general submitted a report number 202502 titled BCC information technology incident response. The objective was to assess the BCC IT department's compliance with the National Institute of Standards and Technology Cyber Security Framework 2.0 and Florida statutes related to the incident response recovery and reporting. This report is confidential. It has been submitted on this agenda as noted item number 152. However, confidential information contained within the report has been redacted. The county's director of information technology department has the complete report. The inspector general department appreciates the cooperation, courtesy, and responsiveness of BCC IT management. And second, Nikki's department of inspector general had filed its 2026 annual audit plan. It is noted item number N162. This plan provides the list of audits that will be the focus of calendar year 2026. Thank you and your leadership team and providing good feedback and conversations with the inspector general department and thank you from Nikki.

Okay.

Um Jack, can you say something about the TMA meeting Friday?

Um go ahead.

Well, uh we have our TMA meeting Friday. Uh, Commissioner Edgar's chair. I'm vice chair. I think Seth, you, me, Matt Murphy.

Uh, I don't know who from the cities is on or on.

Matt, I think. I don't know. I'm just going through the uh provided list.

We're getting down to very important times. You know, we have the consultant and um y'all weren't able to make it to the workshop that we had in St. Pete. Um, but I can tell you there were lots of other commissioners and city council people there and they put us all in a room and instead of kind of going through the agenda, we actually had a very very good discussion about moving forward. Um, there weren't any Hillsboro County Commissioners in there. City Council, Penllis County, city of St. Pete, Clearwater, Matt was there, but and um and the mayor from Port Richie, but they were in another meet, another group. not I don't know why they weren't in our group. Um and I I felt we got some pretty good consensus moving forward except for the um city Tampa City Council wants to be more heavily represented uh than they than they were in our other discussions with the 11 Hillsboro seats um because they feel their city swells with people and they're kind of the epicenter of problems. Um,

so it's, you know, it's not our, they need to work that out, but we need to be working on this together. I cannot carry the load for all of us. And, um, and so, but we need we need to get this done or the legislators legislature is going to do it for us. And that's what I've been told. So, I hope that we really do get engaged. Um, and what really needs to be a topic on our Tri County meeting coming up and we need to make sure we get as many commissioners there as possible because this is coming and we need we need to be heard and we need to hear the others and we need to find a solution to move forward because we are leaving tens and tens of millions of dollars in Washington for other areas that we could be bringing here. So we have it's only an hour meeting for us but it's it's Friday in Tampa at the Hillsboro Authority Thea Tampa Hillsboro

rest away.

Yeah. I have no idea where

I'm I'm ready to make a decision. We're we

it's a joint decision.

The meeting's just we keep talking about talking about waiting on the city of Tampa like when do we just give city of Tampa the boot and make make the call? Well, we we can't Hill Hills Hillsboro and Tampa are Tampa has a poison pill for Hillsboro. They don't have a poison pill for us and in Panellis. So, um but I do believe that we have to make a decision fairly soon.

Um

well, they need to say when because been talking about it for two years now.

Yeah.

And it's like let's make a DGUM decision. So this is the NPO

TMA which comes up to NO and then we vote as an NPO and then

this is the transportation management.

Yeah,

it's becoming one.

Yeah,

it's the consolidation of the NO.

It's kind of like the replacement.

That's why I'm saying the NO. But yeah,

the fact of it is

so few people made that meeting and I was out of town. But no,

I don't know how you going to ever get with so many different members on each group. I don't know how you going to get a quorum to be able to act on anything.

Well, we'll be voting on it soon here at our no and we don't do it here. We do it at our no.

Yeah. Right.

But it's coming and so

part of our

So these last few meetings are very important.

Pine County and Pasco County have always worked together very well. That's our fall back. Yeah.

Yeah.

But the the in my opinion, the solution for the region is going to begin in Tampa.

Because it's got to be a spoke, right? And so

they they know it. That's why they're playing the cards the way they are. I mean, unless

Yeah. They don't want to do some of this unless it gets

it's a little fight between Hillsboro and Tampa

and South Tampa would benefit the most for this consolidation happening because we need to make sure they hear that.

Oh, yeah.

All right. So, let's try to try to make it to that meeting and have the

go Christmas shopping. And

when's that going to be?

It's Friday.

This Friday in person.

Friday morning.

Okay. This coming Friday.

All right. Um, I don't see anyone from the sheriff's office here other than the baiff. Thank you, sir. Um, okay. So, we'll go to my my items. Um, so Tuesday's workshop. Um, I don't know about you guys' schedule, but mine's like booked and I actually have an opportunity to go do something for the county that I'd like to do. But, um, does anyone feel strongly about delaying this workshop or you guys want to have it?

Different.

Um, if we reschedu it though, it has to be in Nissa.

No,

that's the deal.

We could regularly schedule them in Lando Lakes. That pleases the board. When is that ridge

road lakes?

Why can't it be well?

You keep moving.

Senior [laughter] Kathy

compromise. Come on.

Can you see if that our call with Kansas City was cancelled? I just got an email.

I I'm good with waiting and I'll tell you why. I went to Kansas City and Brad and I we walked five miles. We did not see any homeless. Uh no one panhandling. like I was completely blown away and impressed. So I reached out to Kansas City to get a call to about their with their homeless. So a few days ago I was talking to someone from Hillsboro and they happened to mention can that they were working with the Kansas City uh police chief because of how low their crime and their homelessness and things like that were. So I thought it was ironic that I was reaching out to them. Hillsboro is already working with them.

Interesting.

So, I had a call scheduled and I guess it's canceled because I asked Kathy to um come with me, but um I'd rather wait until we get all that insight back from Kansas City.

It was amazing. Like,

can I make a suggestion? Is it

Mr. Starky?

Is there enough time to do it during lunch in Date City at our next board meeting?

No. I like to walk and stretch.

No. All right. I'm just trying to combine them.

All right. Let's go after the first year.

So we can do after the I mean we have January 13th and February 10th. Typically one of those we will do some budget things. So it could be a combined workshop if that's okay with the board. But happy to do that and push it in Lando Lakes if that will either appease some of you or

speaking of of combined

I'm good with land. If we staff in board for consideration, if we have a workshop or two, like I'd rather instead of stringing them out, consolidate meetings on a day that we're all figuring out how to get where and make make the most of it if if there's if there's time.

Yeah, workshops do not have to be single single matter. You know, we've we've kept it that way. There's been depth and it allows for longer discussion, but that's entirely the board's prerogative. There needs to be food and stretching.

Food stretching. Not in Dade City. In Dade City. What else? No. Yes, we can make that. We We'll figure it out.

All right. Good.

Uh, so at FAC, I was going to go to I went to one day just so everyone knows, but they had an eststero meeting one day and a CDBGR meeting for the night time, which was I'm able to hang around, but um I thought it was productive. And just to give FAC credit, as you just mentioned, NAKO was very effective in helping the states get the money from the uh from the feds directly instead of going through the state. Well, FAC did the same things, helping us get the restore committee set up with the 23 counties to get the money direct as well for at least 35% of it. So, uh that that does bode well. Um, one thing you mentioned about as far as um doing the plants and shrubs, I mean the uh landscaping grant for the uh uh Lando Lakes Veterans Place.

No, no, it's not Land of Lakes. It's right here on on Mass. Okay.

Magnolia Oaks.

So, one of the problem one of the problems with the way it's written, the way it's said, even if you want to put that in there with our property, you can't put plants and shrubs in.

No. Well, we we can with our landscaping grant. We can't do it with the tree mitigation money,

right? So, I want to say I I've reached out to the TVBA to try to get them to send us a letter that they're be okay with us using plants and shrubs so when I get a project, we can fund the whole thing.

I the reason why I don't want to do that, TPA, temporary builders.

Yeah.

No, the reason I want don't want to it to go to plants or shrubs because it'll be gone like that and and the reason we have it is to replace the tree canopy. So, um I wouldn't not support that because the bushes are going to cost more than the trees and then and if you look around at our businesses, they're letting them all die. Um yeah, I I I wouldn't be in favor of

So So let me have you go in front of the courthouse right out here and what do you see out there? You see some nice palm trees, mulch. So our own grounds, we can't maintain them and we can't use this fund. I don't want to use taxpayer money to go put new shrubs out there to make it look better again. So even if you restrict it to just county owned property, you're going to save the taxpayer money. You've got $10 million sitting in that fund.

What if I think better used to allow yourself some flexibility and if there's fear of what the building group would be if they send a letter of support, I think it's something we should consider when we look at this January 6th. What if you crafted a a policy that allowed for, you know, ancillary landscaping associated with the planting of trees as say a percentage of the project or there's something like that that weighs

if it was on county property?

County property.

Um, and it has to be irrigated.

Okay.

Chair Commission Wman.

So, there's a rabbit hole. So, to beef this up, when we tore the jail, I mentioned this to Eric. We we had our our at our public safety meeting our our inmate hours. I wish our inmate work hours could be higher, but that the only way that can happen is if we have more corrections officers to be with inmates out in the field. Um, and obviously we're short staff, but what if we took some of the the money, the tree mitigation money, and used some of the land out by the jail and supplemented the tree mitigation fund with our inmates and actually starting not to compete with garden centers or around the county, but starting to use them, use that money and we can start growing

some of the shrubbery and whatnot that we need for this county. And it gives them something to do. They're learning a skill. Maybe it gets some of our land. used to have a tree form.

I mean, what do we pay for historic courthouse? 6 or 800 grand, the contract we just approved, whittle down some of those and then if we have, you know, as our business are up, businesses are up and running and if we they get popped by code and have a $20,000 landscape bill, you know, find a way just to help them out. The small businesses truly small businesses get on their feet. But there's plenty of hands and there's plenty of property out there. I think we have enough that we could just do our own

and the startup money's in the trust fund to do it so it it grow it but I don't know if Eric

so use tree mitigation money to perhaps start a program in corrections that could um

essentially essentially essentially a nursery for county

they can start learning irrigation and you know different aspects and maybe they come out and they can go to work for a landscape company or something I don't I don't know but you just have a lot of hands there that can go to work and if we don't have the officers to put them to work to help clean up our county, the way they can do it is using the land that we have and then our our our land third party landscapers, whoever can come pick up what they need and and beautify our spaces.

Okay.

Let me discuss with the team and we can bring something back to the board for consideration. Of course. Okay.

You know, they also used to have a program at the jail where they built picnic tables and um aderond chairs.

We have those.

I I think and I think they stopped it. I'd I'd like workforce training at the at the jail.

The kid the kid our kids have a picnic table, little kid picnic table and we've had it for years. It's great.

And Gina, do you have some pictures I had from DC? Good.

So, we we put together the landscaping irrigation ordinance years ago, right? One of the things

I don't know. I was asking today if we had an irrigation ordinance and someone was getting back to me. So one of the things that was compiled in discussion with it was to allow the medians that we create to allow water to get inside and do the irrigation save on water.

Yeah. Okay.

Do it opposite in the in the parking lot.

Instead what we did was raised them up 3 ft. We got rid of that part.

But if we take and look

uh this is right along in DC. The drain collects from the street. The metal drain you see to the side comes out to the to there. All the water from the gutter right there can flow right into there.

Smarter. something on the street can go right in there and you got all the cuts that are in there and you set the tree down about two feet have have you know leaves obviously going in there but it collects the water and even it's going to be released somewhere else it's going to treat the water hold on to the water but that's going to take care of irrigation

and your roots are lower so it's not going to you know it's less likely to buckle the sidewalk because it's lower I love it

so I think we should be looking at doing that putting that in our code coming up and even even setting up others to be able to find an easy way to make these changes.

What kind of tree you going to do? Because if you put dirt up around the base of a like an oak tree, you move dirt up around it. So, it'll be

This is new planting.

Yeah. It probably You probably wouldn't do an oak tree. You'd probably do something else.

You can't do an oak tree. It'll die.

Yeah. So, I wouldn't I wouldn't do the oak tree.

No, but you could plant an oak tree in that.

No.

A new oak tree.

I

Not if you bury the base of it.

Well, you're putting the the root ball in the dirt. I I don't understand if

you either bury it here or here.

The base is above if you're just doing the root ball.

That's for a landscaper to

So, and I meant to miss it, but I think you saw something like this up in Rhode Island.

Yes, we did.

Did David Angle tell you? We We saw it there.

I show them these pictures.

Yeah, exactly.

So, so I think we should go look at what they've done, how long they've done, what trees they put in, etc. How they set themselves up. Look at Rhode Island, too. And then come back with a plan where we can go make it happen.

Where is this?

This is in Washington, DC. It looks cold.

It was It was really cold.

Yeah.

But you know what? Those trees look really healthy.

Cherry trees.

Yeah. Really cold up there. And I'm thankful this year my uh uh kids are coming down for Christmas. So yeah, right down here where we should be.

So So with that, that's all I have. I want to say uh it's been Oh, actually we did have the senior game yesterday at Plantation Palms. I shot one of worst scores of my life.

Oh, my husband came in second in his senior game.

Yeah, I was probably second from the bottom. Ah, [laughter] it was like a rare thing for him.

Uh, anyway, so was it was a it was a great turnout there. They they ran a ran a good tournament. Uh, games are going on. So, all sorts of stuff's happening around the county.

Oh, you mean the senior uh tourism

senior? Yes. For tourism.

Okay.

So, um, oh, and I've got the appointments for the board. I only made a couple of changes. I read them off to you real quick. Um, everything's the same, though. Commissioner Waveman, I was sitting on the insurance selection committee once and twice a year they meet. You can do it. Great. If you can, I don't mind doing it, but it's not it's not a big thing. Um, I wanted to take over the Pasco Economic Development Council and Tourist Development Council. And Commissioner Joerger, I was going to put you on to Tampa Bay Water.

That'll be good. I That's fine. I Is it a big board?

Nine.

It is.

Yeah. Nine people.

They won't meet all the commission.

Nine people. I want you there.

Yeah.

It's It's close to you as far as everyone else, but I think it'd be good for you. Cool.

It'll be good.

All right. So, that's all the changes. I'll pass these out. And other than that, merry Christmas and happy new year everybody.

Merry Christmas

and thank you for the honor.

I have area of aging very high. Turn to owner. rate for cats is less than means if you bring a community cat to our shelter, it's not likely they'll end up being returned [music] to their caregivers. Cats in our communities often have one or more caregivers and they usually hang out in [music] their home area. The best thing to do for these cats is to leave them be. Share that message and you too can help battle pet overpopulation. If you're concerned the kittens have really been orphaned, [music] meaning they haven't been moved or you're sure mom hasn't been back in at least eight consecutive hours, then you can step in and care for the kittens. [music] Animal services offers resources on our website about kitten fostering, spay and neuter services, trap rentals, and vaccinations. [music] Whether you have a single community cat or a bunch of kitties, we encourage you to contact us at 813-9291212 [music] or through our website for more information on our SNIP trapneuter vaccinate release program. This means healthier and fewer community cats in your neighborhood. Healthier because we can prevent diseases [music] like rabies and fewer because all of the cats that we treat are also spayed and neutered. Cats are eligible for the program at 8 weeks old. Pasco County is a strong and growing community and through [music] our combined efforts, we can help save lives with three simple words,

leave them be.

Hi, [music] I'm Anley with Pasco County Pavement Management. People always ask, why can't [music] you pave roads faster? Well, the process isn't as simple as it seems. We use two methods, which you can see here. They're called milling and paving [music] and full depth reclamation and soil cement. What does that mean exactly? [music] Let's break them down. 90% of our paving projects are done through milling and paving, which [music] takes about 2 weeks depending on weather and the length of the road. We start by grinding and removing 2 to 3 in of the road. Then we sweep the road to remove fines. Fines are small particles of asphalt or lime rock. Next, [music] we spray tac, which is a mixture of oil and water onto the road surface to make sure that the asphalt bonds to the road surface. [music] Then, we apply a layer or two of asphalt. Ever notice steam rising from the asphalt? [music] That's because it's struck to the work site at a whopping 325° or hotter. Next, we drive a steam roller over the asphalt to make sure the surface is flat and smooth. And that's it. Now, let's look at the second paving process Pasco [music] uses, which usually takes a bit longer. Our geotechnician team drills into the roadway at the job site and take samples to a lab to help us determine what mix to use. Then we create a mix to [music] use on the road from materials we salvage from the pre-existing road. A machine grinds 10 in into the road base, feeding all that material into a giant [music] mixing machine where it mixes with other ingredients before being spread onto the road. The surface has to be set [music] for a few days and then our team returns to the site to test the road's strength. If it gets two thumbs up, we grind two inches off the base, sweep the fines, and add the tack and lay the asphalt. So, those are the two ways Pasco [music] works to make your commute a whole lot smoother. Public works inspectors are on every job site to make sure there are no bumps in the road, so to speak. We follow tough guidelines and high standards to keep our roads drivable for years to come. To learn more about Pasco [music] County's paving process, please visit my passcode.net. And thank you for watching. Free Heat. [music] Heat. [music] Heat. [music] Heat. [music]

[music] [music]

Heat. Heat. [music]

[music] [music]

Oh yeah. Hallelujah. [music] Hallelujah.

[music]

You know, maybe we should think more about what we do with our house and our yard. I was reading the other day that all the chemicals that we put in our yard, the stuff you wash off the driveway, even walking the dog, all those things can result in pollutants that end up in our waterways like our rivers or streams, even the bay. Well, I guess it makes sense that when it rains, all that stuff gets washed away. I guess it's got to end up somewhere.

That's true. And we're all contributors. It's a shame. We love living near the water, but it's us that ends up polluting it.

Well, then maybe we should learn more about these pollution sources and what we can do to reduce our contribution.

It sounds like a great idea. [music]

[music]

It's hard [music] to think about Florida and not think about water. Water defines this state. The ocean, the Gulf, our bays, our thousands of rivers, lakes, and ponds. They're all a huge part of life in Florida. A chance to live, work, and play on or near water is why many of us moved here. That's why many of us stay. And water provides more than a lifestyle. In Florida, it provides livelihood. Water is crucial to our tourism, agriculture, fisheries, and many industries. All main components of Florida's economy. Florida simply wouldn't be Florida without water. That's why preventing water pollution is important to all of us. For much of the 20th century, industrial waste and sewage were main causes of water pollution. Some manufacturers routinely dumped harmful chemicals and other materials into the nearest river or lake. Cities often did the same with raw or barely treated sewage. The result was that many waterways, including sections of our own Tampa Bay, became so polluted that some could no longer support fish or other aquatic life. But by the 1970s, in large part due to the burgeoning environmental movement, public awareness about the impact of water pollution began to grow. Shifting public opinion prompted new rules and regulations so that by the 1990s, state and federal governments had cleaned up most of the obvious pollution sources. While those actions helped greatly, the problem of water pollution has not gone away. Today, the largest source of pollution for most parts of Florida, including Tampa Bay, and the rivers, lakes, and streams that drain into it, is what we call storm water pollution. Storm water is simply rainwater after it hits the ground. This water either soaks into the ground or it runs off down the street into a storm drain or across the land into a water body such as a river, lake, or pond. Along the way, the water picks up lawn pesticides and fertilizers, dirt and debris from construction sites, tire rubber, motor oil, and other chemicals from the street, and waste from dogs, cats, and wildlife. The storm drain system is not connected to any treatment plant. So, any pollutants go directly into whatever water body is downstream. The same is true for runoff that drains across the land into a water body that's not part of the storm drain system. This means the pollutants are reaching many of the same places where we like to swim, boat, and fish with our families and friends. And the pollution source doesn't have to be in the immediate area. Our rivers, lakes, and streams receive their water from a watershed. A waterershed is the area over which water flows before eventually reaching a common larger body of water such as a bay or gulf. Pollutants initially draining into one body of water could end up affecting another body of water dozens of miles away. What's the impact of water pollution? In some cases, it's mostly

aesthetic. The water may smell bad or have a strange color. But even if the pollution has no immediate impact on fish or other aquatic life, it can still diminish our enjoyment and use of the water. And many times the pollution's effect is much more severe. Chemicals can cause fish kills and endanger other animals that live near or depend on the water. Debris can clog the water's natural flow, which can cause flooding. Debris also can disrupt and sometimes change the surrounding ecosystem. Excess nutrients from fertilizers and animal waste can produce abnormal vegetation blooms, which can choke off a water body's natural plant and animal populations. In short, water pollution can ruin the very thing that makes Florida. Industrial waste and untreated sewage, which at one time were major causes of water pollution, were known as point sources [music] because the pollution came from a specific location or point, making it relatively easy to identify and clean up. Storm water runoff, now Florida's largest cause of water pollution, is a non-point source. This means the pollution is usually spread across a wide area and as a result it's much harder to clean up. Polluted storm water runoff can have many adverse effects on plants, fish, animals, and people. Sediment can cloud the water and make it difficult or impossible for aquatic plants to grow. Sediment can also destroy aquatic habitats. Excess nutrients can cause algae blooms. When algae die, they sink to the bottom and decompose in a process that removes oxygen from the water. Fish and other aquatic organisms can exist in water with low oxygen levels. Bacteria and other pathogens can wash into swimming areas and create health hazards, often making beach closures necessary. Debris like plastic bags, six-pack rings, bottles, and cigarette butts washed into water bodies can choke, suffocate, or disable aquatic life like ducks, fish, turtles, and birds. Polluted storm water often affects drinking water sources. This in turn can affect human health and increase drinking water treatment costs. Household hazardous wastes like insecticides, pesticides, paint, solvents, used motor oil, and other vehicle fluids can poison fish and other aquatic life. And people can become sick from eating diseased fish and shellfish or ingesting polluted water. Pollutants are carried untreated through storm drains or over land to our neighborhood water bodies every time it rains. Even pollution from miles away can impact us as runoff makes its way across the watershed. By now, most of us understand about the potential health, economic, and environmental issues associated with water pollution. But what many of us may not know is how we contribute to the problem. At home, when we use pesticides incorrectly or overfertilize our lawn, we're adding those chemicals to the storm water runoff. We do the same thing when we blow grass clippings and leaves into the street. Dumping oil, painting

materials, or household cleaners into the gutter or down the storm drain is the same as dumping them directly