10.7.25 Pasco Board of County Commissioners Meeting (Morning Session)

Good morning.

I'd like to call to order the Pasco County Board of County Commission 10 a.m. meeting of October 7th, 2025. At this time, please silence all electronic devices and mute your microphones. Please rise for the invocation and the pledge.

Honorable Commission Chaplain Anthony Ship, my honor to give the invocation. Almighty God, thank you for our business today, our civic duty. We ask that you'll bless this board of commissioners, our community leaders, help keep our firemen, policemen, teachers, and all community workers, and our school ch children safe. Grant us blessing. Amen.

To the flag of the United States of America and to the stands, one nation, indivisible, liberty and justice for all. Okay, now is the time for public comment. Citizens are given an opportunity.

Roll call.

Oh, yes. Sorry,

we'll do that.

District one, Commissioner Ron Oakley

here.

District two, Commissioner Safe Weightman,

present.

District four, Commissioner Lisa Joerger here. District 5, Commissioner Jack Mariano

here.

District three, chairman Kath Katherine Starky

here.

Okay, now is the time for public comment. Citizens are given an opportunity to comment on any current or future agenda item coming before the board and on other business under the board's purview. Today's public comment will be handled as follows. First, we will take public comment from those who are here in person. Then, we will take public comment from those who are online and have pre-registered for a WebEx link. We request that when you address the board, comments are not directed personally against the commissioner or team member, but rather directed at the issues. This provides mutual respect between the board members and the public. After stating your name and address for the clerk, a threeminut timer will be activated and a green light will be shown on the podium. After two minutes, a yellow light will indicate you have one minute left. When your time is up, a red light will be displayed. Three beeps will sound and you should close your comments. WebEx participants will be disconnected automatically. Madam clerk, do we have anyone signed up for public comment?

We have one signed up. Doug Dro, please come up to the podium.

Morning. I'm Doug Dro, 10144 Dusty Hill Loop, Date City. Um, traffic on Centennial is impassible. We came this morning to the meeting. We had to pass 40 cars blocking the full lane of traffic. When we come to go home in the afternoons, the school has them backed up all the way on the 301 right turn lane. What's any plans? any help for us to get out of our homes and onto the roads without having to drive on Townson and Newsome which are impassible with the washboards and the ruts and when it rains it's total slush and mud. That's it.

We don't interact on that.

Okay.

Um who's here with traffic.

I should say I tried talking to the principal.

I was sideline by her.

Somebody won't take it.

There's Jason

or Jason will come come see you outside.

He'll come meet you out here.

Okay. Thank you.

Yes, sir.

Is there anyone else?

No one else has signed up and no one is on WebEx.

All right. Is there anyone else here who wishes to speak to the board? Come on up and name and address, please. Hi, my name is Pamela Williams. I live on Flory May Lane, which is off of Parish Grove Road. Parish Grove is the only way I have to get to my home. It is the worst paved road in Pasco County. I have origin I am originally from Dade City and have lived throughout the county. I would like to know what what as what we as the homeowners have to do to get this road repaved. Most of the properties are valued between a hund 800,000 to well over a million dollars. Mine itself is worth $1.3 million. I have lived there for three years, which is um which

with some new houses being built with high impact fees, which some of that money is supposed to be created to improve the roadways and create new ones. Do I need to get petitions for people that live on that road? Will that help? There is absolutely no reason that with the taxes we pay, this road shouldn't be paid. If if you could please tell me the formula that someone uses to determine these roads to be repaid. I have called at least a hundred times in the last three years for patches to be done in the roads. Every time it rains it gets worse. I have lived there for lived in the um with the patches are making it worse to drive on and dangerous for people to drive. So could somebody please tell me the formula that's used to pave repave these roads? I have called department after department, road maintenance engineers and the sheriff's department. I have not gotten any response on what it takes to get these roads repaved. I have had neck s I'm sorry. I have had neck surgery and half my back is metal. I have to hold my car on the road tight with both hands and go one to two miles an hour down for a mile and a half to my home. That's absurd. I also have elderly parents and it has turned into a single lane road with overgrowth and wash out erosion. If it's hard for emergency vehicles to get down to my house, not to mention excessive wear and tear on our vehicles,

the Parish Grove roads and the roads extend off of our beautiful properties in Blandon area. This is hurting the value of our property. All

I'm sorry again. Could someone please tell me what the formula is to determine what the roads need to be paid so we can make these provisions for for the homeowners on this propert this area? So, um if you

I have Alex here to talk.

Um they'll show you the where where you can go online and see the form see the roads that are going to be paved and yours is up for in 27. So, but you can walk outside there.

That's the commissioner's aid.

Yeah.

Okay. Please make sure all your phones are silenced. Is there anyone else here who wishes to speak?

Is he going to talk to someone?

Thank you.

Come on up. If you're going to speak, now's your time.

All right. Hey, good morning. Can I speak on the enclave?

Name and address.

Oh, sorry. Tom Shuggar, 342 Lake Saxon, uh in Lake Pad States. Is this the right place to ask about the enclave at Livingston?

Can I speak on that? Uh, well, is that I don't Is that is that I don't think that's on our afternoon agenda.

I wasn't That's why I'm asking. I wasn't sure if it was.

Well, you came a long way, but

Yeah. [laughter] It's not on there, but

I mean, if you This is public comment. I guess he can speak to anything, right? But it's not on today.

I'll take I'll take 30 seconds. Nothing crazy.

It's on on future.

All right. Yeah. Well, I just wanted to ask I know there's a vote coming up for that. And

you need your name and address for the record. Tom Shuggar, 342, Lake Saxon in Lake Pageant Estates.

Okay.

Yeah. I'm just here to say ask uh you know, I know you guys are voting on it. I would ask that you vote no on it or at least postpone the vote until more research can be done on the traffic. I know a lot I know reports have already been done. It anticipates about three and a half seconds increased uh transportation time at that intersection at uh at 41 uh or 54, I'm sorry. it it's it's pretty bad area for traffic and I know the overpass is going to improve that a lot but it doesn't look like any of the deficiencies are going to be remedied with the construction of these town homes and uh I would just ask potentially if it's possible to put the vote off. I'm not coming here with any uh type of riveting information on why he should, but I definitely think it could could use a little more research. I think it's going to be pretty bad before that overpass is built and it's gets it's getting kind of Brandon over there already with the uh increased traffic. So [laughter] that's all I have. I just wanted to just say something. So, Lisa tried.

All right. And our agendas are published so you can um find out when that will be um on the board's agenda and it'll be in the afternoon and that's when I'm going to take public comment on those those issues.

So, it's the wrong time.

Um so, you live [laughter] in Commissioner Weightman.

Yeah. They can email you. Yep. When

if you go downstairs, thanks for driving over, Tom. But Brian and Lori are downstairs and they can give you all the information you need. They're right behind Cherry at the front desk and Okay.

We'll keep in touch with you as it

Thank you so much. Sorry about wasting your time here.

No,

no, no, it's okay.

Hope you enjoy the trip. [laughter]

Lots of good shops, Roger.

Um, is there anyone else who wishes to speak to the board? Okay, there goes the planner that's working on that project. [clears throat and laughter]

All right. And no one's online.

No one's online.

Okay. So, we will um close public comment. [clears throat] and we will go on to the resolutions.

Okay. Do we have anyone present for the White Cane Awareness Day in Pasco County? If you'd like to step up to the podium, please. [cough] Good morning. Resolution number CA026-5103. a resolution by the board of county commissioners of Pasco County, Florida, declaring October 15, 2025 as white cane awareness day in Pasco County. Whereas the mission of the lighthouse for the visually impaired and blind is to provide people who are visually impaired and blind with the skills needed to achieve their maximum independence. And whereas Lighthouse works with people of all ages from children to seniors who experience vision impairment, blindness, and low vision and live in Pasco, Hernando, and Citrus counties. And whereas White Cane awareness day brings recognition and awareness to visually impaired and blind individuals who use white or long canes and dog guides. And whereas the white cane is the universal symbol for blindness or visual impairment, every day, millions of Americans who are blind or visually impaired use a white cane or dog guide to get to work, school, shop, and travel. And whereas every blind citizen in our county has the right to carry a white cane. The white cane demonstrates and symbolizes the ability to achieve a full and independent life by allowing individuals who are visually impaired and blind to me move freely and safely from place to place. And whereas the white cane makes it possible for people who are visually impaired and blind to fully participate and contribute to our society and provides the capacity to work productively in competitive employment. And whereas the work of lighthouse includes the distribution of information about the white cane law because every citizen should be aware of the law's requirements. The white cane law requires that motorists exercise appropriate caution when approaching a person carrying an official white cane or a dog guide that identifies the individual as a person who is visually impaired and blind. And whereas Florida law also calls upon employers, both public and private, to be aware of and to utilize the employment skills of our citizens who are visually impaired and blind by recognizing their worth as individuals. And whereas the state of Florida through its public agencies and with the cooperative assistance of Lighthouse can look forward to a continued expansion of employment opportunities and greater acceptance of people who are visually impaired and blind in the labor market. Now therefore, be it resolved by the board of county commissioners of Pasco County, Florida, that said board hereby declares October the 15th, 2025 as White Cane Awareness Day in Pasco County. and encourages our schools to offer full opportunities for training to people who are visually impaired and blind. encourages employers and the public to utilize the valuable skills of competent people who are visually impaired and blind and to open new opportunities for

people who are visually impaired and blind in our rapidly changing society and calls upon all citizens to recognize the white cane as an instrument of orientation and mobility, self-efficacy and safety for pedestrians who are visually impaired and blind on our streets and highways. done and resolved in regular session with a quorum present and voting this seventh day of October 2025.

Awesome.

I'll take a motion.

Oh, move to approve.

Second.

All in favor?

I.

All right. Commissioner Joerger.

So, today we recognize the white cane awareness day honoring the independence, mobility, and achievements of the individuals who are blind or visually impaired. The white cane is a powerful symbol of freedom and access, enabling safe travel and full participation in community life. We also celebrate the vital work of the Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind, whose mission is to educate, empower, equip individuals with vision loss to achieve independence and improve their quality of life through training, advocacy, and support. One of the things I I want to say is that I I've enjoyed working with you, Becky. We are we are working on something together and we're we're very excited um with our shelters for the hurricanes. We have been um working together and we're um in the process of buying iPads um that will have VIR so we'll be able to communicate with our our blind um shelter guests um and also the shelter staff has also been trained and with our deaf population. Our school board has posted some um ASL signs and also they've been trained for the deaf community. So um we are just very thankful for educating us as well on the challenges and barriers and um we just want to be good you know community partners help you in any way. Um I'd love for you to plug your event coming up bowling in the dark.

Yeah absolutely. Well I just want to thank you all for um your support and you know we've been serving the Pasco County. There's over 15,000 residents who are visually impaired and blind. And I've um actually only been with the Lighthouse as a CEO for six months now this this month. However, I've been involved as a donor and um volunteer for many years and now being in the realms with with all of our instructors and seeing from the babies who are um having these amazing milestones thanks to our help to the work readiness with the teens and and of course our seniors who are having to you know learn how to to live life without their vision. It's been really amazing. But yes, we have two events also for the white cane awareness. First is next Tuesday we're having bowling in the dark. So um our guests at Langlow um South in Newport Richie will be blindfolded um for frames 3, 6, and 9. So they can have the the experience of being blind and we'll have our visual learning experts that will be there to help to make sure nobody gets hurt. [laughter] I understand some balls went in the other lane last year. Um, and then the other thing I wanted to invite all of you as we're inviting all of our um, dignitaries and community leaders is on Friday the 17th and I have some flyers here if you want to. Um, we are having a blindfolded street crossing in front of the West Pasco um, government center. And so we're going to have some media there and um, we invite all of you to to experience that with us. Um, it's at 11:30. It'll be, you know, short, quick. Um, we'll give you a cane, give you a blindfold, and give you some tips and tricks. um on how to do it, but to it's really just to raise awareness about the the law and um ensuring that everyone is safe.

Mr. Mariana,

I say Becky, thanks for all the great work you do on our community. Congratulations on your new your new position. I know you're going to just add value to it tremendously. So, look forward to working with you.

Thank you, Commissioner Oakley.

Yeah, I want to thank you for all that you do for our citizens in Basco County. So, the work's needed to be done and I'm sure they're all appreciating what you do for them. Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you. Well, Miss Benn, not every day we get a governor in the house. So, no, I I didn't know that the the canes were white. I never paid that close attention. So, learn learn something new. So, um yeah, thanks thanks for coming in and and letting us recognize your organization and this event and keep up all the great work you do for us.

Thank you. Um, last week I I flew out west and there um getting off one of the planes there was a young man with a white cane. Um, and some someone said, "Do you need any help?" I said, "No, I'm fine. Thank you." And I mean, he just got off the plane and went on his way all by himself. It was, you know, it was amazing because I have a sister who's going blind in Miami. She has glaucoma. She's lost sight in one eye and she's

losing the other one and she's she's really concerned. So,

I'd love to know if there's an organization like that down in Miami.

But, um, congratulations on your ascendancy to CEO. And I don't know if you guys know, but while we were under construction for two years at Ampskills, we held numerous boot camps at the lighthouse for the blind. and u we want to thank you for opening up your facility and and um and uh sharing the the AMS skills message and and our work um with your your folks and um I think this is the first time you guys have been in front of us

here. Yeah.

Right. Right. And if you have a flyer and we want to take it in, I'll take a motion for

file second. Second.

All in favor? I

All right. So, we'll get those flyers out and um let's come down for a picture and let you said everything you wanted to say.

Yeah. Yeah. Okay. come in handy.

Thank you, ma'am.

You sure?

One more. All right. [applause]

Okay. Um, our next resolution.

Okay. Our next resolution is the vetinarian technicians. If you'd like to come up to the podium, please.

Hello.

Okay. Awesome. Okay, I'm going to read your resolution for you. Resolution number CA026-5102. A resolution by the board of county commissioners of Pasco County, Florida recognizing the week of October 19th through the 25th, 2025 as National Veterary Technician Appreciation Week in Pasco County. Whereas National Veterary Technician Appreciation Week is celebrated each year to recognize the invaluable contributions veterary technicians make to the health and welfare of animals in our communities. And whereas National Veterary Technician Appreciation Week was started in June of 1993 by the National Association of Veterary Technicians to recognize the efforts of veterinarian technicians. And whereas veterinarian technicians play a critical role in the medical care and daily well-being of animals through their expert handling, compassionate care, and skilled support of veterinarians. And whereas at Pasco County Animal Services, vetinarian technicians serve as frontline heroes in the shelter's medical operations, caring for over 10,000 animals annually and performing more than 100,000 treatments and over 5,000 surgeries. And whereas these technicians provide medical care, surgical support, emergency triage, radiology, lab testing, and preventative treatments, working diligently behind the scenes to keep the shelter running smoothly and safely. And whereas veterinarian technicians throughout our community demonstrate extraordinary dedication, tireless work ethic, and professional excellence in the care of sick and injured animals, supporting life-saving outcomes and enhancing the quality of life for people and their pets. And whereas National Veterinarian Technician Appreciation Week provides an opportunity for the citizens of Pasco County to recognize and thank these compassionate professionals for their deep commitment to animal welfare and their lasting impact in the community as well as spotlighting the need for more incredible life-saving individuals in this profession. Now therefore, be it resolved by the board of county commissioners of Pasco County, Florida, that said board hereby proclaims the week of October 19th through the 25th, 2025 as National Veterary Technician Appreciation Week in Pasco County and encourages residents to honor and celebrate the exemplary service and dedication of the veterary technicians at Pasco County Animal Services and throughout our community. done and resolved in regular session with a quorum present in voting the seventh day of October 2025.

Approval second.

All in favor?

I um

who's this? Mike.

Okay. Commissioner

um Mike Spencer and the team. I want to say uh congratulations on this resolution. I think it's a great uh move on our part to kind of recognize the great work you guys have done over the years. Uh we had some trouble years ago. We had some a lot of vocal citizens coming forward about things we could do better and what you guys have done with those suggestions and this board. I I salute all of you the to give you the support to bring in the right people, get the right services to make our uh clinic I think the best around. Uh I know you get national awards which have been well earned. Uh pets are very important for many many families um seniors especially that you know need that extra love that's that's there every single day for them. I know my wife used to love when she would get home and f the dog would just come right to the door and just made her day every day. It's just like that warmness that goes. So, uh pets are very very important for life and uh greatly appreciate all the great work you guys are doing and thank you.

Yeah,

I'll go over here. Mike, uh, I've been I'm in my ninth year now and you came shortly after I got elected the first time and, um, been doing a good job and gathering the right technicians, the right people, and the right jobs to make Pasco County Animal Services much, much better over the years. And it goes to a lot of each and every one of you that you do your job and and it pays off to do your job. And we are very appreciative for the citizens being able to being taken care of by uh very smart people and how to handle their animals and tell them what to do. Thank you.

Yeah, jumping on accolades. Um, you know, since I've been on board coming up on three years, it's been amazing to see the growth and the engagement that your team has had and just all the factors that we have whether hurricanes, weather, you know, the population growth and more more people and just, you know, just helping out, not just in terms of with animal services, but just generally helping out the people and and the creatures of Pasco County. glad that y'all are here today and um keep it up,

Commissioner J.

So, I'm I'm a big fur mama, so my husband doesn't like when I go visit the animal shelter because he's afraid that I'll come home with a pet and he teases me that every time a kid leaves for school, we add a dog. So, we just had a son leave and he's like, "Lisa, no." So, [laughter] um but no, I appreciate you guys and like I have a little English bulldog and um the vet techs are amazing with him. He is shaking like a leaf in in the office and they are just so sweet. So, I just want you to know like your patience and your kindness to the to the animals and to the the parents just they they don't go unnoticed. So, thank you guys for everything you do. You're very much appreciated.

And um I would echo all my my uh fellow commissioners comments and I just want you to know I I keep trying to help you with your new building. [laughter] I'm trying really hard. I know it's been a long time and I I enjoyed my tour that I recently had out there.

Uh but I also um am the mother of a dog,

an escape artist. Um thank goodness for that that app. I don't even know what it's called. Dogs. There's some app that if you're your dog gets out, people post it on there. We went down the we put in a new fence in our in our house in G Farmers and went down the street for a block party and sure enough within 10 minutes maybe half an hour our dog is out. We don't know how she's getting out.

I have an Air Tag on mine and it alerts me.

Oh, that's that's a good idea. But um our accountant happened to see it on the app [laughter] and called us and my husband had to leave [clears throat] and go down and get her. But um we're just uh grateful for all you do and um I am hopeful one day you'll have your new building. But go ahead, address us.

Well, thank you commissioners. Appreciate your support in this resolution and Commissioner Mariano for sponsoring it for us. Um this is an amazing team that we have here at Pasco Animal Services. Um the hard work they do, uh the compassion that they put into the work, uh they save lives every day. Literally, you'd be surprised the condition of animals coming in off the streets and they change their lives. Literally.

Yeah.

Uh they take them whether it's skin conditions, rotten teeth, uh you know, ailments, hit by car, you name it. Uh they perform just admirably when you think of what they do with those animals. And it's not just that moment they come in, it's the days they're in the shelter. Every day they have hands on those animals. They're feeding them. They're medicating them. They're taking care of them. Uh they're making sure they're getting everything they need. And uh it's rough sometimes. You know, compassion fatigue is is a real thing. It's very stressful. Uh they experience it quite often. Uh we try to help them through it as much as we can, but uh at the end of the day, they just do fantastic work and I'm very proud of it. So, Dr. Cla. No, I just want to echo what he says and I'm proud of this team. They work really hard. Um, they're amazing. It's because of them that we can help all the animals that we do and save the lives and help the citizens. And thank you for your support and thank you to Mike and Spencer

for everything. Thanks.

Well, we're certainly grateful for you guys.

I just want to add a quick story. I wasn't going to touch on it, Mike, but you just kind of opened the door a little bit for me. So, I want to I want to go. Um, there was a few years back when we had a um a dog that was found. We have the condition where we have to keep it for so many days and we adopt it after we treat it. Did a great job and u when the person that owned the dog didn't show the dog went off for adoption and someone adopted it. Well, Spencer and his team um were able to reach out to that person that was adopted the dog, get the dog back to the regular owner

who was like so distraught and so thrilled with that later on. And then the same people that adopted that dog, they found another dog and they were very happy with the dog. That's the type of but that takes a teamwork for people to understand

the great care they're getting and how much everybody cares to make it all happen. So that's a that's a full team effect and shows of passion and care that you guys did to make what could have been a bad situation into a tremendously better situation. So again, thank you for all the great work you do.

I'm I'm sure this was before all of your times, but Commissioner Mariana was here when Commissioner Mu Leri

Oh yeah. Were you here when she would do Oh, she when you said dogs with skin disease, that immediately made me think of Commissioner Malar. Um because she used to bring those dogs to the meeting and she'd put a blanket up on the counter as, you know, especially at West Pasco and those dogs would be the dog would literally be up there on the counter. Hope she, you know, she was hoping someone would adopt it and see it on TV or something. I don't know. It was unusual. Uh Commissioner Oakley,

I just [laughter] I just I just remembered one thing. And uh Mike, remember when I brought the uh commissioner out of Citrus County to tour the facilities and all?

I ran into her again uh not long ago and she said they were soon to finish their animal services for Citrus County and they came and looked at Pasco and went back and and built a something similar to what we have.

It's real good.

All right. So, we'll go down and uh

pop.

Okay. Commissioner Oak will come down. We'll we'll stand back here. Yes.

You got to space out a little more.

Oh, no. Really?

Can I get a couple more of you to shift this way?

Oh, us.

Oh, I'm I'm You [laughter] guys are good. We're a little

Hey, Eric, you're emptying County Administrator.

Come on. [laughter]

No, you're up here. building.

Oh, look at

let [applause] All right. All right. We are now on to the consent agenda and um I have some items have been pulled. C8 by Weightman and Joerger. C9 by Weightman and C34 by Commissioner Mariano. Are there any other items that uh you'd like to have pulled from the consent agenda?

Move with consent.

Other items.

All right. Moved and seconded. All in favor? I

opposed. All right. C8. Commissioner. Well, two of you pulled it so we know what Waitman wants to say. [laughter] So, I'll go to Commissioner Joerger. Yeah. [laughter]

Okay. Well, I just wanted to um just have a discussion about this that um with this surplus property, it will be used for low-income families at or below 80% AMI with Habitat. It's 0% interest. Um, I also love, you know, we can take a community that has seen better days and get brand new construction in there. Um, these people are being able to finally have a place of their own, not rent.

Um, and organizations can't do what they do without partners like the county. So, um, and all these places are being built by volunteers. So, I just would love to see more of these neighborhoods transformed and houses going in, but we need to be good partners and let them be able to do what they have to do and that's helping them acquire the property.

So, that's my I just wanted to pull that just to talk about it.

Commissioner Waitman,

thank you. Yeah, I just think this is an absurd policy. I think that the the the policy needs to be for C8 County taxpayer has $5,614 invested in cleaning it up. The appraised value is $24,162. And on C9, that property, the taxpayer has over $8,000 invested into the property and has an appraised value of over $33,539. I just think these organizations, if we're going to sell them, we don't sell them for a dollar or $10, that they should pay the minimum u uh investment that the taxpayer has and just pay, you know, the 5,600 or the 8,000 that's in there. And I think that that should be the property. And um you know, that 8 8,000 or 5,000, I mean, that goes to help parks or whatever. We're we're trying to figure out how to make our dollars go further and residential products a drain on the system. And so I just think that we we can this policy should evolve and at least just get the taxpayer investment back. So

Commission May.

Thank you.

And and I'll make a little sentiments. However, I think there's a better way to do this. Even if you do want to get the to the charities without having to having to have them spend money to get it and Habitat Humanity does a great job. That 0% just really makes it great for a lot of folks. But it still takes money to make it all happen. I think if we to put a plan together, we got CDB CDBG DR money coming in, community development block grant, disaster recovery money coming in. I think we need to set a program up immediately to find out how we can set this up to take all these properties for the next 5 years where they can then turn them over to the people but get us [clears throat] reimbured for a general fund that is obviously we're trying to cut taxes, right? and what we wanted to do every step of the way. That's a way to actually go look at doing that. And I think our our group should come up with a plan to go do that. And I'm happy to even let start with these two properties. Postpone this until we can come up with a plan. Could be two months away, could be a month away. The check come up with something. Let's find a way to make this part of that fund so our taxpayers benefit, but the charity still can get the property for the $10 without the impact on the budget. Um, you know, I I don't think I don't want to hold these up, but I think that's a good idea. And I would I wonder if we can still um find a way to recoup the the charges the county has into it while still allowing this to go through. So, I'd like I'd like that to I'd like to get answers to that. I don't know who that person would be to get those answers.

Madam Chair, yeah,

if I could just to help you with that a little bit. So, from what I've heard, and if we don't have anyone, if Chuck Lane's not here or someone from the group, um, if you've already allocated the money, it's been funded.

Here's Paul,

you cannot get the money back.

So, if you approve it now, you're not going to you're going to take these two options off. And I don't think 30 days, 60 days delay in this vote is a bad thing when you could put another 50 grand in the conference for the taxpayer.

All right. Paul's going to

So, commissioners, we don't have that answer at this time, but we will have Chuck follow up with you after the meeting if that's all right to bring back uh that um policy uh analysis for you. Is that something you can bring back today?

Yeah. Okay. So, why don't we uh just hold on this one until we have an answer?

Um there's something else I want to you to check on this

afternoon.

Yeah. Or this morning. We'll see. Um I you know we changed the tree fund um rules I believe to allow nonprofits to get trees. So if that's possible then I'd like to uh get a shaped tree donated to each one of these houses if this goes through from our tree mitigation trust fund.

All right. Um so we're going to wait on So that would be C8 and C9. Is that correct?

C9 looks like something different.

Same thing. Same thing.

Yeah.

Just a different

different group.

Different group.

All right. So, we're on to um Thank you. We're on to C34.

Okay. And Gina, I got some pictures I sent over to you.

Yep.

Um I'd like either Brford or Jason to talk about the project a little bit.

This is Jack.

Is this one that we bought?

This is [clears throat] Well, this is um yeah, US Water. We we Aqua Aqua Utility did buy it.

Okay.

This is part of the some of the work that we wanted to go do out there. Arbordale and Gnome for years always flooded out. Flooded out. It's where iron bark Palm Terrace.

Oh yeah.

That whole area. Well, everything was down at the bottom of the bowl that's here. This is an old two reclaimed water ponds that were here that went up to a spray field. Uh last year Jason and the team were absolutely phenomenal. Um you know, Brford was great putting everybody together. But uh in one afternoon we talked to D and Swift Mud about trying to work on clearing this out before the storms were going to hit. And Jason the next day had 29 trucks ready to go, dumpo back hoes ready to go, the whole team ready to go. And when uh Swift Mud gave us the approval and DP backed off the sprayfield, they cleared off the other side of this property to dig a a big retention area that actually kept even got close to flooding some homes, really protected all the homes in there. And later this year, they went out and you can't this is a before picture, but they've now taken out all the muck and sludge that was that's in this agenda item to go clear all that out. And what that did is now it creates an opportunity. This this how the that's how it looks right there. This is the homes around that whole area. How much the flood water floods up. See the sandbags up there? That people that have lived in that home for like 15 years have always had sandbags right there because it always comes up that close within a foot.

So now because we put that in the whole flooded area right there, um it now stays down low and doesn't flood out. what I want to see and I want to thank the team for bringing this forward and I and I know you had to push to get it done. You didn't know what it was going to be. You just made it happen before the flood season, storm season come in. So, uh it didn't it worked this year as well. There was like no issues out there other than one storm had a little bit in the little corner piece but nothing that would slow down everybody. So, what you did here is phenomenal. What I'd like you to do is to use again go work and we've talked about it before, but the CDBG DR money now that we've got this finalized, this is a great time to go work with parks. It's a low-income area. You know, serve each each this one here in Pineapple Lane. Each property will serve like 7,500 homes of low-income folks that maybe like Cascades. By the way, you didn't go to FAC, they had their event up there at Gainesville. They had a park up there, too. They made a great walking trailer on

Oh, don't you remember how we had them present at the board meeting? And it was phenomenal what they did. Um that's what we're doing at

Maggie Valley. They would do like just weekly things out there. So another great opportunity. But we got to work have you guys go work with parks and put something together.

But as we

But Jack, that has to go through the CDBGDR ranking process. We can't just direct CDBG.

No, but they can come up with a plan and bring it forward and then we go look at it.

So you don't like what's going on at I don't I didn't look at this C34.

Why don't we hear what's going on there? Yeah, let's let's hear what's going on and then we'll we might understand better what's

Good morning, uh, chairman, members of the board. I'm Jason Ml, public works director. Um, C34 is is um not a public works item. Um, but I could certainly talk to everything that you just spoke on. Uh, Commissioner, uh, first of all, thanks for, you know, you being involved in that process from the beginning because it it was the catalyst to get all that work done. So, you know, thank you for the leadership there. Um it did provide a lot of storm water relief, flood relief to that community. Um multiple large ponds um are now out there. There's also some improvements to some of some of the conveyance that takes the water away from the site as well. So it doesn't just sit there, it actually moves along. Streets are less flooded, homes are less flooded. So it was it was a good project that we were able to do in house. Um I can certainly uh coordinate with Keith in parks, talk with him and his team. um to see what we could possibly do out there long term and then talk with Chuck and the team and see how we can you know pursue something in the CDBG DR money and and just to talk you're a little bit um not take as much credit as you should going through it but Jason when you put everybody out there if you look at the palm tree on the left side of that picture see all the water going up there that's a whole street block it actually touching the next block and we're on both horizontal vertical there all that water that used to flood doesn't happen anymore. Everything was in front of this home right here that would go all the way up to like six inches within within the house. All now because of what you guys did out there, the great work you did, it keeps from flooding. So, I want to just thank you again for the great work you're doing. Okay.

But what what is the item? I'm trying to see.

It's just extra money for what they found when they had to go to dig out the sludge and all.

$4 million is the

total 400,000 418,000. I think all you're I think all you're seeing there on there is is just utilities contract with US Water to do um miscellaneous um items for system improvements. Um I think that's the old Aqua utility system. Um I think they're just looking to extend the time for that contract with US with US water.

Well, they're asking for $418,000.

The picture we got up now, is that how it looks today?

Yes. So Joseph Amoa um utilities director. So this item is for Yes, it's for the Pasco Aqua system that we purchased for FGUA and um there were some few more conversions we needed to do work in taking over their systems um sludge at the Jasmine Lake wastewater treatment plant that we needed to remove bypass around the Palm Terrace um pond that the commissioner was talking about. Um so that is the whole purpose to try to finalize go through the punch items for acquiring the entire system and making improvement to the Pasco aqua system as we've taken over. So that is the main purpose but I know you know um the commissioner Mareno will be interested in the how we converted those pec pawns per speculation pawns into storm water holding pawns and I think um it was a great work that was done to help those that live around our neighborhood. But the whole purpose of the item is for improvement of the Pasco Aqua system as we've taken over the system. I I do I do want to touch on something that Commissioner Mariana said though and we I don't think two of the commissioners were here when we had the engineer and designer of Cascades which is in Tallahassee um and it's a storm water project come and present to us well I think he presented virtually because I think my anyway um just like Maggie Valley I see whenever we have a property like this it needs to be done in conjunction with parks and and that property needs to be an asset for the community. Um, a walking trail around it, shade trees, park benches, whatever. Um, we need to use these opportunities to improve the lives of those people in the communities around it in my opinion.

Okay. [laughter]

So, with that, Madam Chair, I just want to bring it to everyone's attention. I'm very happy with the project. What you guys are doing is phenomenal. So, move approval of C34.

Well, I I I have one more question uh on this. Is this fence there while you're doing construction? because if you grade the sides right a certain way, you don't have to have a fence and then, you know, it's treated differently. So, want to make sure we're taking all those things into account when we design these.

Madam Chair, I will get pictures for you this afternoon. Um, I was trying to find them my phone, but I couldn't. But this is like a before picture. I will get you the after picture, show you looks like now

because that's a little rough right there.

It is. Look, believe me, it was tough for the neighbor, but what they did out there after was phenomenal. So, I'll get those pictures.

All right. So, we have a motion and a second. All in favor? I

opposed.

Okay. Um, so we don't have any R items. Um, but I do have a couple things I wanted to bring to the attention of the board. We're on ours, right? Um, first is for Mr. Bellis to come up and give us a little presentation on um something important to the east side of the county and uh give us a status update on our

Absolutely. Absolutely. Good morning, commissioners. Mark Bellis, chief strategy and sustainability officer. My uh my father once told me he said the value of a good story can never be underestimated. And I can tell you we have a very very good story that we have been telling to people who are very interested in it. And in fact, it's taking on a life of its own. So I want to update you on that. This is all about the Four Rivers Basins project. You've heard the name tossed around quite a bit. This began back in 1960 when Donna came through and did a tremendous amount of flood damage to the state of Florida over an area of uh 6,000 square miles including about 15 different counties here. We being right in the center of that. At the time, the state decided to put together the water management districts with mud being one of them. And they were tasked with working with the Army Corps of Engineers to come in and see what they could do to prevent future flooding. uh over that 6,000 square uh mile area. So that is precisely what they did. Now the unfortunate part about this particular project and let me get us moving here. Are we all

I'm not sure this is up or not. There you go. Okay. The um so the project was authorized by Congress. It was to take a look at uh the area, as I say, 6,000 square miles, and determine what was creating flooding and what they could build as far as flood abatement projects to prevent flooding. Interestingly enough, the project was not about protecting people. It was about protecting the agriculture in the area. So, that's where this all came from. Quite a bit of damage was done to citrus and and to uh the uh pine industry at that point in time. So, uh, all these projects were designed and built and, uh, interestingly enough, of all the projects, uh, about 30 of them all together, if you click me over there. Thank you. Only a couple were built. The Tampa Bypass Canal, you'll see if on this particular map, this is the entire area, the Four Rivers Basins project. All of the green lines are those projects that were designed. You can see uh, quite a few of them right there in Pasco County. And the ones that are red are the ones that were built. So you have the Tampa Bypass Canal and then you've got the outfall from Lake Tarpon. You have something just above Cruz Lake that was was started but not completed. At that point in time there was a tremendous amount of political pressure to instead of draining the uh Everglades to save them. And so the money at that point in time went south and we we didn't see it again. At that point the army ar Army Corp put the entire project on the shelf. did not reopen it and it sat there for 60 years. So, fast forward now as we were having some conversations about a year and a half ago with the Army Corps, we heard the name Four Rivers Basin. They weren't sure exactly what it was because it was was so long ago, but they said, "Well, we understand that it it had a lot to do with flood abatement, which is the things that we were looking to take care of here in Pasco." So, we did some research. We went to Library of Congress and were able to find all the original information for these projects, including this map that you see here right now. We contacted the Army Corps again and said, "Hey, uh, can you tell us about this particular project?" And they said, "Sure." Uh, it was in fact approved by Congress. It was authorized, the funding was authorized to come in and do this, but the project was stopped and it is in a pause mode. Said, "Okay, how do we reactivate this project?" They said, "Well, there's a lot of lot of ways you can do it. the best way to do it is to get the uh assistant secretary of the army for civil works to reauthorize the studies that were originally done. So we said, "Okay, how do you do that?" They said, "Well, you might want to take a take a take a um a play out of the playbook from the South Florida Water Management District, who, as you probably see, seem to get a lot of money in the South from the federal government to do flood abatement." So we met with them, talked to them, and they said, "Sure, you just you've got to get

political support for it. You've got to get Congress to stand back up and say, "We'd like to do this again." So, that is precisely what we did. We met with our federal delegation. We started with uh with uh uh Congressman Bill Rockus who said, "I will carry the water on this." And we got support from uh Buchanan and from Lee and from Scott's office as well. They uh they have a letter that went directly to the assistant secretary. We had some folks uh up in uh Rick Scott's office in DC that also took a walk over to the Pentagon to talk to folks and lo and behold a week ago we got notified from the Army Corps that the project has in fact been reauthorized. So we're very happy about that. That's the entire project, not just what's in Pasco. So this is going to be good for the whole region. So where do we go then from here? What we know for certain is that um go ahead advance that if you would. Yeah. Um go ahead to the last one there if you would. One more. There we go. Yep. Thank you. [clears throat] So where the process is right now the pro the uh the entire project has been reauthorized. We have been in communication and working handinhand with SwiftMUD. There's going to be three projects that begin in Pasco. So, we get the first we get the first bite of the apple, which is good. There are uh two of them that are going to be sponsored by Swift Mud and one will be uh the entire Hillsboro watershed, which starts in uh or starts right here, Dade City, works down through Zephr Hills, works in all the way down through Hillsboro County into Lake Theosasa. It will also include the Cypress Creek area. So that entire area is part of this whole study. Uh and uh and then the the other study, they're going to do one that's a little bit further south and then we're going to have one that we sponsor and that is for the Ankllo River basin. And so the only one where we have to put up a match is the Ankllo River, which is actually the smallest project. So the projects will be a re-evaluation of what the original engineers did in the Four Rivers basins using the new information and data that is available from SwiftMUD and from our own folks here at public works of course right in the center of this with us. We we've been at the table with them as well. Uh and then that information will be used for a couple of things. One to see what project or projects are feasible now. So again, if you think 60 years ago, there was very little population, very little development, things have changed. So what makes sense to do now? And then those will be the things that we look for appropriations to build. But even if we're not able to build, and certainly you saw the map, I don't know any place in Pasco where we're going to be able to put in a 23 mile long burm anymore. But what we will have is the information that we need to inform our citizenry that if you live in this particular area in these conditions, this is what you can expect. Help them make decisions

about where they work, where they live, those type of things, which is information we have based on what has happened. But we want the we want the data to back it up. We want the scientific side of that as well. So that is where we're headed. The second thing I was going to mention to you that's kind of interesting is concurrently, you'll see this on an agenda in November, we are beginning our coastal mapping and monitoring program with USF, which means we're going to be gathering that same kind of data and information along our coastline. And from that, we'll be able to build out some adaptations. We have a few other things in the works, too. We're we're uh we're looking at a program uh University of Florida, University of Texas came and met with us uh on a Gulf Futures grant that they are in the top 10 getting uh which is going to be nice because they want to apply that money to Pasco County. That works out well works out well for us. So, some really great things coming. This will be transformational to the county. It gives us data and information we need to prioritize some of the bigger storm water projects. Uh some of the some of the uh money for CDBGDR if we're looking at relocating people, relocating neighborhoods, things like that. This all gives us the data and information to form the basis of those kinds of decisions that we make for the for the citizenry. So very happy to report that.

Commissioner Bariano.

Yeah, Mark, I got to say what you and Anthony Thomas are doing is absolutely phenomenal. Digging into this project, I know you brought it to us a little while ago. Uh Tampa Bay Water is actually looking at work partner with you too to try to help out because they're a big big stakeholder. Could be some great things. We talked about reservoirs on the east side.

That could be part of what's going on. When I see all the money that uh Governor DeSantis was talking about with um the Everglades just a few months back at that Chamber of Commerce event, I said if they can put all that money into that, we've got to be able to get the money back up here to do this. Now that they've got that funded fully, let's go work on taking care of this this side of the world of this side of the state. So,

you're staying with it. You're going your approach has been phenomenal every step of the way. I can't thank you enough. And I know the city's going to benefit, especially when you consider like the Ankllo River being impaired waterway as well. Something's going to help us in the coast. Uh just tremendous work. Thank you so much for doing this. And Commissioner Stark, thanks for bringing this thing forward. I was I wanted to do it, but I just needed more time to talk to you, but I'm glad you brought it out today because it is just phenomenal.

It's been a team been a team event. You know, our team is great. The the federal delegation's been great. Uh Ralph's been a big help getting us in front of folks. Interesting when we had the u the local delegation in for our workshop. It was kind of interesting to hear that flood abatement was on the top of their list. So I think this te's us up for a lot of our legislative asks in the future as well to fund these projects.

Great stuff. Thank you

Dr. Bella. So what are we looking at on time especially you we have what the clock's ticking with CDBG and others. Can you put the map back up

in the and you know more folks that keep moving in the Pasco challenges can arise.

So what's the time? We wait another 60 years I'll be 89 years old. [laughter]

I'll be gone.

So like what do we I hope there's a sense of urgency now. Here we are 60 65 years from the initial conversation. Right.

So what what do we have?

Yeah. Not that we're going to receive any guarantees, but yeah, they've got us kind of excited. So,

two time frames that the core shared with us. One, they said for the assessment, the initial the evaluation piece, 12 to 18 months is reasonable. They said from beginning to end of the entire process, 6 to seven years, and that's building out of projects. That that's the that's the guidelines they gave us. So, we uh I I guess I put it to you this way. we were able to cut the time for getting the Army Corps in in the Pentagon to reapprove this. No one believed it. In fact, we were we were sort of accused of moving so quickly that we caused the government shutdown. I don't know that [laughter] that's the case, but the shock wave uh has been pretty extensive and we're going to keep pushing. We'll keep pushing. We got a lot of people on our side.

Well, never mind. Let me correct the record. I'd be 99 years old, so [laughter] uh did my math wrong. So, I just, you know, All right. Well, it's good to hear that there's the the temperament and the,

you know, ability of them actually wanting to to help us.

A lot of good people behind this. Absolutely.

Commissioner, when they had this thing in ' 61, I'm now 80 years old. So, I've waited all that time.

I can't wait another 80.

There you go. There you go.

But, um, what was the cost of this project back when they forecast back in the 60s? 57 million is what Congress approved.

What is it today?

Oh, I wouldn't even venture a guess. Hundreds of millions, I'm sure, to build out everything. The the the fact is that as you look at it, the estimate is probably less than 20% of what they originally designed could still be built at that scale. So much much smaller scale I think project.

So when they said they'd take this project back up, did they see anything about a timeline for funding of the project? Because

what's this?

You can okay to do a project, but if you never get the money, you'll never do the project.

We've we've set everybody up to understand that yes, the funding for the studies is available, not necessarily the funding for the projects, but what this does is it puts us in a good position to ask based on the information that the Army Corps puts together. So, I I think we're positioned probably better than we would if it was just a just, you know, a unilateral ask or just nothing connected to it. So feel pretty good about that.

Right.

Um I I have a question with the CDBGDR money. Um you know we have that timeline with this is can we put any of this towards that or is this going to take too long and we can't

I I wish I could answer that today. I I think that we will

we will have the information from the studies back in time to have a good idea of what we can build and what we can't. So based on the mitigation and the infrastructure funds available through CDBGAR, we should be able to use some of that somewhere along the line there. So we are we are keeping a close eye on that. Mr.

May, one one of the things in the plan that we put forward was planning dollars.

So and we talked about specifically storm water projects. So and I got to say it's just stunning that you got this work done so quick. I mean think about Ridge Road after 23 years up there. Yeah.

For you to get this project to come forward

just phenomenal. But I think you can go look at the one project you said we got to share cost on is the envelope. I think you should go right to Chuck Lane right away.

We've done some bunch of studies out there already.

So So take take a look at that. Put it forward. Put that in. Let that be again our match.

You can put those planning dollars right in for that. And then if you get construction quick enough, you can then tie into some of it too. But at least the planning dollars, you can get those allocated immediately. And I think we I know we had this conversation, Commissioner Mariano. The Army Corps actually had a project in Anlo in 1958 to make it 150 ft wide and 9 foot deep. They got into it with D. They stepped away from it, said we don't want to do it. The good news about that is the core has told us that any project that they initially did work on or did themselves is a priority for them to come back and fix nowadays. So, breakwaters, peers, things like that are on their priority list. So, we can get funding from that too. So, yeah, good stuff.

Um, that red up there, is that the Miseric Town? Miseric Channel.

Yeah.

Yes, that is. Yes. Yes.

That's a that's a pretty neat trail opportunity. And um

that's true.

Swift manages, I believe. And um they had closed it off to pedestrians, which was kind of crazy. So I I I got it back open for the equestrian people to be able to ride down the sides. But um it's a beautiful channel that goes from our county up to Hernando.

And and to Commissioner Mariana's point earlier too, the with the we have uh Tampa Bay Water and Swift Mud at the same table now too, looking at Cypress Creek for a joint water uh abatement or flood abatement and water supply project collectively. So it's just a matter of getting people at the table talking about what we can do together. It's it's amazing how many people want that, want to do it. So,

Commissioner,

yeah, I just was going to add something. If Ridge, you know, it took forever to get Ridge Road done, but it was 23 to 30 years trying to wait on that. And but you got to remember, timing is perfect. If it had been done 23 or 30 years ago, we wouldn't have a mafet like we have there today that serves all of our people. True. So timing is very important on things done and and timing on this for the hurricanes and all that we've just had uh proves that we do need these things to help us in these floods.

Absolutely. Absolutely. And we did compliment Colonel Bowen by the way when we saw him on Ridge Road. We said that was the one place that didn't flood as far as our evacuation routes. So he felt pretty good about that. So good stuff.

All right. Well, thank you so much.

Thank you for your support. Um, next I have um David Engel to come up and um talk about a letter that I need your permission to sign. I think I have a copy here. Did all the commissioners get a copy of this? Are we going to read it? Joanna,

what is it?

This letter?

Okay. Um, so David, do you have a copy of it?

I do, ma'am.

Okay. So, let's talk about that meeting. Very exciting. And

I will do um the

David Engel, planning and economic development director. I don't have a presentation today, but I just want to give you some brief history. Approximately two years ago. Uh Tampa Wave, which is a consortium of county engagement for economic development, approached the University of South Florida to investigate how we can bring in and introduce new types of industrial development and research and development here in our region. Uh I don't know if the board is aware of this but Tampa Bay is the number one manufacturing area for the state of Florida and as a result of that USF study they identified that uh defense technology is ripe for the pickings here for our region. Uh we have the space coast mcdill air force base and a lot of uh potential for defense technology. It was seen as a catalyst type of um activity because innovation in defense tech it spreads out and it will contribute to our economic prosperity. As a result of the study uh a economic development administration grant application is being submitted. We have a time-sensitive matter and Tampa Wave, who's our lead in this engagement, has requested a letter of endorsement by the board of county commissioners. And um we're not pledging any any funding contribution to this for matching funds, but um that's something that I could bring forth to the board if they receive this EDA grant. We just want to make sure that the money is equally spent in Pasco uh as well as Hillsboro and Panella. So we want to have equal standing at the table. So uh the request is if the board could endorse um the chair signing this letter of support without any financial commitment we would be very much appreciated.

Move approval.

Uh well let me tell you a little more. Um, you know, I have the a PEEDC International Economic Development Committee and um what one what there's a gentleman on there named Andy Bennett who lives in Pasco County who um is former military and now has a company called Defense Tech and and he works with a group to bring um defense contractors here to Tampa Bay and he's partnered with Tampa Bay Wave and if you remember we have the the company that came that just moved here that does the fingerprint through the windows that's working with DoD. Um and uh they also brought another company. I don't know who it is yet. Another defense contractor has come to the county. Uh so they they came uh and met with us a couple weeks ago. Um so this EDA grant is a Tampa Bay grant. So it's Hillsboro, Panelis, and Pasco working together. I think the ask was a h 100,000 each.

Yes, ma'am.

Um so I'm I um am hoping that we'll come back um with a ask for us to put in our share because I believe Hillsboro and Panelis have already approved their 100.

That's correct.

Yeah. Um but time is of the essence for them to apply for this grant. So we

so my motion is though that it doesn't cover any financial responsibility at this time but just yeah support

but we want to be included in and they're saying that we we are you know we're the catch basin for a lot of these companies because there's no space down in Hillsboro panels. So we have an opportunity to be partnering with SOCOM and um you know all the cool things that are happening down there at McDill um for those companies to come here and um set up shop. So yeah, Commissioner Mariano,

the economic development money from the penny for Pasco, would this be an applicable use for that funds?

Yes, sir. I would.

I'm ready to make a motion for the 100 grand from that.

I I would second that.

I already made a motion.

I know you made a motion. I'm I'm I'm throwing that out there to you amended motion.

So you can amend your motion if you choose.

I mean this is a great this is

this is something we want to be participating in.

Yes.

So question is David. So does this money go to this money is to be in if if we're to get receive the grant this money is injected into the actual businesses itself. Well, it's establishing incubators throughout the county, seed money to establish uh burgeoning businesses that are in aerospace defense. And we're hopeful that because of our ready sites and ready to go project, a land area that's industrially zoned with all the access and utilities that we could uh obtain some of that development here in the county.

And the EDA grants require a local match.

All three counties.

And so all three counties want to go in together. I'd love for us to go in.

I think it makes a better look if all three counties have committed 100,000 as well.

And if you know Tampa Bay Wave, I mean that's a very established

organization and defense this defense tech. It's great company and they're doing wonderful things.

Okay. So a motion.

So no commissioner made the motion. I threw the idea out to add the 100,000 in through the penny for passport.

Oh, I thought you amended his motion. Have you amend the motion?

Do you accept it?

This is what you're saying. So you want you want

So I also have a question. So I mean it specifically calls out AMSkills. Is this money designated for that organization?

No. No.

No sir. Anybody um getting help?

Now there there's this is directly to the Tampa wave effort. It's just some of the attributes the county has that's attractive for aerospace defense. We also named uh smart starts and various other programming. It was a county supported parts.

So, Commissioner Oakley made the motion. He's willing to to amend with 100,000 EDC. Who made the second?

I did.

She did. She's allowed.

I'm allowed to second.

She's allowed to make the second. [laughter]

Good.

Okay. Um

All right. So, we I think we have two letters. One has the funding match in it. came

there were there were two draft letters one with a funding commitment one without so we would

say

we default to the funding one if the board is gives me an affirmative vote

they they drafted this letter for us they just happened to I told them about our manufacturing training program and they went to see it and they were like oh my god this is fantastic so um okay so all in favor

I opposed okay so we'll do the other letter if you get me the other copy I'll send it I know they need it ASAP because that grant application is due. Um the is Panos here? No. I you know we have a lot of time and I just wanted to get an update on Ridge Road and how we're doing but I don't know if there's anyone here that can give us that.

Sure there is.

Oh I thought he was.

Is he here? I texted him but I

Oh, good. Okay. Can you just give us a little update on Ridge Road?

Sure.

Uh Panos Conces, assistant county engineer with the transportation engineering department. Uh Ridge Road is progressing well. Um the contractor had encountered some issues with unsuitable soils that were not in the initial uh plan, but they're moving forward. Um we are working now with an agreement for the CSX uh crossing and that's going to go to the uh county attorney's office. We're just processing the RLS right now. So everything is moving well. Um the the utility connection for Mauet is moving forward. Uh we expect those to happen before the end of the year. That's the important uh commitment we have for Ridge right now. And uh with regards to opening the two lanes, we are trying to open them by the end of the year. You know, I'm not very sure that we're going to make that goal.

Two. So you'd Oh, we're going to do it like the last time to on one side, two lanes, and then

correct. And then we're going to build the other two lanes.

Okay. I've I've never gotten the answer, but I've asked many many times um that when we do the bridge over the CSX railroad to make sure that there is room enough for pedestrians and cyclists and whatever to go under that as well.

We have that under consideration. We we will try to accommodate that.

Yeah, it's there.

It is there. I mean, we if we're building it, we better be not trying. We better, you know, we need to be doing it. I've been saying it since we designed that road.

Yes.

So, um it's much cheaper to go go ahead and let people cross underneath. I I don't even know where it is and what's around it, but than to do a pedestrian overpass. Um Okay. I have two more questions for you. Um

Sure. [snorts]

I was told State the that the bike ped overpass at State Road 52 was going to start quite a while ago. And when I drive by it, I don't see any construction. So, where is that project? Do you happen to know?

Uh, I I don't have the status at this time. I can contact the PM and I will update you. Uh,

what's really frustrating to me is we've had that penny for Pasco money sitting there for years for for 54 the 54 overpass and the 52 overpass. And we keep it was supposed to be built years ago and every year the price goes up. So every year our money, you know, doesn't stretch like it should. So I don't understand it. It was supposed to be under construction like a year ago. Um, so

I will I'd love to get the

I will investigate that and I'll get you get

I don't know if we're building it or if DOT's Sunost [clears throat] is building it, but

it was both of those were should have been done by now.

It's 54. It's a state project.

Huh? It's Highway 54. It's a stateateroom.

Um, well, it's the Sun Coast, I think, not DOT, but we gave them the money. Um, and construction, they've long been funded. Somehow the 54 one was going to go first, but we put that on hold because we thought the s the the we had to wait for the turnpike to finish their new design, but it turned out that wasn't true. But in the meantime, the 52 one went ahead. Do you remember this from our no meetings like two years ago

and there's I just looked there is nothing happening there.

So

I will I will find out.

That's probably maybe a Tania question.

Yes.

Okay.

Madam Chair.

Yeah.

Just to touch on one thing on 52 as well. I I just heard this morning that they're actually looking at building another truck stop out at 75 and 52 that

Really?

Yeah. Representative Hulk's not comfortable with it. I think it was. And I think it's something we should go take a look at because we need to see what's going on there

at our at that intersection.

That's no 75 somewhere. So I just I just heard that this morning, but if you can check into that

75 and 52 the interchange

52 75

where all those corners are taken.

Just don't know but I think it's worth taking a look at.

Hopefully not the northwest corner

which I don't know. All I hear is heard, but now that you brought it up, you're going to check with DOT. I think you'll take a look at that, too.

Okay, we'll look at that.

Where was it you heard that truck stop was going?

Yeah, I was on a radio call this morning, but then I got a text from someone who was a civic association first that heard Representative Pul was afraid of what was going on out there.

Okay.

Yeah, I've not heard about any other truck stop going in that area. So,

interesting.

Um, any other questions for Panos?

No. Okay. All

good.

All right. Thank you very much.

Okay. So, we'll move on to commission items. Commissioner Oakley.

All right. We got some pictures. I think uh the first item I have here is um had the opportunity to uh speak to the um uh PES realtor Pasco policy uh committee meeting for the Sun Coast Tampa uh realtors association. and I did that out in Wesley Chapel. Had a group of 12 people was very informative for them and also different things they were looking at in the community. Uh the next next item, the opportunity to speak to Pasco's next generation leaders in our uh leadership group which we had here last week and uh that went very well. A lot of young people in that group. It's uh it's pretty I thought it was kind of amazing. A lot of times you see older people, but it was a lot of young uh business leaders that actually were here. Wilton Simpson was also here. Uh, next we have uh the spectrum community presented a check through um uh Kelly Sin with the domestic violence group which they do a lot of good work here in Pasco County and I was there for that presentation.

How much was that check? Do you know?

Hm.

How much was that check?

Uh $7500 I believe it was. Yeah. And they did that to several groups. I mean, u couple hundred groups they were giving money out to and their grant money which can help uh bridge gaps where they don't have funds to help take care of some of the issues they have with the domestic violence. Next, we had um we went and made a let's see here. Oh, here's K&D. This is a the uh Kim Phil Hines groundbreaking event which is the road Aussie Murphy Road that was going to come underneath interstate and come back around. It actually meets at the um intersection of Pasco Road 52 and it's coming in from the north for that road to come in. Gives another direction traffic can go. It's only a two-lane road, but it's u that's all the space we have underneath.

It's actually a trail with the road.

It's two lane and a trail. [laughter]

Don't forget the trail part.

Yeah. But that went very well. So

awesome.

Uh then I had a visit with Saddlebrook and uh seen what was going on. If most of you gone to the PDC, you saw some of that. The only real issue they had on the PEDC meeting and dinner which was uh very well attended and a lot of u different people were able to see some salary. The real problem was the day before the uh where the VIP met uh that air condition went out the day before that happened.

Oh the day I wonder

and that's why they had to sit those air condition units in that room.

Oh, they must have been

but there weren't enough. So but they've since had that fixed. So, it's it's good. I saw the driving range and

new driving range they have in house beautiful area and

uh

the lobby is gorgeous.

Oh, yeah. The lobby they've changed the type furniture they're using a little different

and um they're redoing I think they're redoing the um the pool area and all the main kitchen area and all they will start open that back up.

What is this picture of here on the left? cuz that roof needs some attention.

Uh oh, that's the bar out by the pool.

So, they're redoing that.

This lady, this lady, yeah, they're in the process. This lady here in the black, she is actually uh painting the mural on the ceiling

of different plants and things of that nature they put up there.

So, it's going to be very nice when they get through. I think it's this coming week they have their first group coming in uh to the unit. I think it's believe it's over 100 people and they've re we went and saw one of the rooms and the rooms are very nicely done and upgraded till now. So they've done a good job in doing what they said and they still hadn't started anything out toward the road on the on the multif family and some of that out there with that commercial area. They have near 54 there. So but they're uh living up to what they said they were going to do. So that was all good. And then on um where we at here now, what is this group?

Oh, this is the uh

Oh, this is emergency uh group. We went and spoke yesterday. Katherine Starky said she was there for the first time.

Yeah. But you know um courtly the different groups 911 and and then uh public works they have one and you can go I've actually gone to most all of them you know in fire department they have some too. Uh I've gone and spoke to most of those. We have over 3,000 employees and when you're speaking to them, you're really speaking to a lot of employees that actually uh work with you. Since we only hire two people, county administrator and attorney, they work for for the county administrator, but they are very well needed here in 911 calls. I always think of it this way when people want to cut the budget real harshly and and you got to be careful when you cut because one day you might pick up your phone to call 911 because you have the need but it might not be there because you cut the funding. So it's one of those things you have to keep in the back of your mind when you're trying to make the right cuts that are are not recurring expenses that you have throughout each and every year. So

that that guy in the middle, he has won a massive amount of awards.

I don't remember his name. Do you remember his name?

No.

Um, but on their on their lanyards, they have pins for every life they've saved. And he was just covered with pins. So he's he saved a lot of lives.

It's pretty amazing the people and what they're able to do in 911. um they do a a very much a great job of of doing doing the work for us to help save our citizens when they're in need and emergency comes up. Very important. All right. What else? Oh, and then on on Friday morning, we went with myself, David Allen, and David Engel. went visit with uh the city with the mayor Scott Black and he showed us the northern part of

excuse me

northern part of Date City area that needed some some work and part of it I actually thought was within the city but actually it's county and so we're looking at trying to revitalize some of the northern part of the city so it's pretty amazing some of the things are still left there from the hurricane and old fuel tanks and things of this nature that we're going to work out a way with the help of David Engel, David Allen and and see what we can do to to do the right thing for the northern part of Dade City. So that's it.

Uh Commissioner W.

Very good. Yes. S Brook, they the mural. They're trying to find a local m artist to do the artwork throughout the facility, which is pretty neat. And the bar that Commissioner Oakley put on there, that was actually uh like a kitty pool that was repurposed however long ago and made a bar area out of it. And um you know, as with any project, um as we took our tour, uh they were just finding little hidden treasures, if you will, that have really expanded their investment. But they had their first group that's coming in uh this week is about 250 people. They're coming in to host and have a conference. And

is the pool open yet or?

Uh not yet. It's under construction. So it's they're they're full boore all in. Well, they were working to have it ready by this time the route got here. So, they were working hard the day I was out there. So,

but uh driving range looks great. It's got a special spot for Jack on it whenever he whenever he gets gets gets back on there. But, no, just they really put a lot of investment into this into the facility and it's it's great to see Saddle Brook coming back to life. Uh the other piece I have, so um uh EDC and Advent Health West Chapel hosted the Florida Trend this last week and Florida Trend is working on their uh Pasco edition which will come out February 26. Um so you may receive a phone call from the Florida Trend as they're refining the information when

the February and 2026. So they're going to use the time after this last week of basically interviews if you will. had three different sessions uh to refine the information and and ask questions. So, they may be reaching out to your offices depending on certain areas and projects. So excited to see what they what they say about Pasco next year and um it's a really good cohesive group and appreciate Advent Health Western Chapel um chipping in and helping to host the event and so um just nice to have Florida trend floor trend here and it's all I have.

Uh Commissioner Joerger.

Okay, let's see. I know I have some pictures. All right. So, this was the um Panelis County Deputy Delichi's family wanted to thank Pasco County firefighters who saved his life. Deputy Delichai was seriously injured in a crash involving a semi-propane truck on Pasco County Road. They did the math and it took Pasco County Fire Rescue 6 minutes and 12 seconds from the time they put the truck in park and took him out of the car. Pasco Fire Rescue Crew was honored with the Green Cross Award. This award is aimed at honoring individuals that have made significant contributions to safety and injury prevention. Um this this was amazing. It was it was so emotional. Um there were many people there that was on scene. the gentleman to the left, the the young um boy Dylan um Dandro, he had kept in touch with the family the entire time. And at one point, the wife was, you know, asked if she, you know, you might have to take him off life support. and she reached out to him and kind of walked him through how many minutes he was unconscious, things like that, but ultimately helped make her decision to keep him plugged in and waited out. Um, it was abs it was I don't know if there was a dry eye in the house. It was absolutely beautiful. Commissioner Mariano was there. Seth was there. Um, it was great. And of course, that little cutie is his son. And I asked him if he wanted to go climb some fire trucks.

That's a great That's a great pick right there.

Yeah. and he's like, "Yeah." I'm like, "All right, let's go." So, uh, that that was amazing. All right, next one. So, this was the graduation and they had oh boy, there was a ton of graduates. 142 largest promoting class um that they've ever had. And um my legislative aid Pam, her daughter was in that class. So, that was an exciting day for her as well. Um, and the next slide, and this was the big blue barbecue. That was a great time. The money goes um to the police department. Um, one of the things I just wanted to bring up in my commissioner items. I have been talking to some of our um legislative delegation and they have been receiving death threats. They've had to move venues. Um Danny Burgess no longer even keeps his door open. It's always locked and there's a note on the door. Um recently Congressman Billis had to change his event. Um he was in judges chambers. So I had reached out to Eric and asked him if we could beef up security. Um and the sheriff's office and Chase were more than um gracious and and did that. So, I'm just asking my other commissioners like how do you feel about having one point of entry and the wanding that went through today. Um, for me, you know, I think I rather be proactive instead of reactive when it comes to our new normal. So, um,

Commissioner, I tried to get this done before when I had a gentleman come into my conference room with a gun and, um, I wasn't successful. Uh, but most commission uh, buildings, most of them have some kind of some kind of um, security. Uh, at the fact conference, I I met a company that works with the sheriff that has a portable um thing that you walk through and it can be moved around. I mean, we we can do this without spending a lot of money, but I think I think you're right on.

I asked Andrew to to price that for me, the uh metal detectors, and he's going to get back to me, and he also wants to talk to the sheriff's department to see about staffing, but ultimately the ones are like $250. We already have one deputy. If we could have another deputy, um, you know, that would be great.

I think if we have a lot of people coming in, a wand might be really slow. Um, so we have to think about that. Um, but I definitely want to explore something and maybe that we have a committee that comes comes up with an idea that is the most efficient um, for us. But commissioner

and even if like the judges lately have had I think it was like 16 death threats in the past couple months. So you know people it's it's becoming more and more frequent and I just I don't want a tragedy.

Yeah. So,

I just want to speak in agreeance with Commissioner Joerger, the fact that I've noticed, and I'm in my ninth year, but I've noticed since I first got here till now, the change in the atmosphere with the public and being free out. I hate the fact that you have to do that, but the fact is we want everybody to be safe. So, we don't want somebody that just, you know, you know how the art people can speak out so strongly and about even just a paved road or something of that nature, but we just want to make sure we're all protected.

Did staff want to speak?

Staff.

Eric, did you want to say something?

Uh, yes, ma'am. Madam Chair, I appreciate the discussion being held by the board. We did have enhanced security screening for today. I'm very taking direction from the board to work with the sheriff to figure out what's the right uh security measures going forward to have enhanced screening. We will do that with uh Chase and his team. The one question I have for the board is board meetings only or are we going to expand this to MO meetings and planning commission meetings?

I definitely think MO a thousand% um you have everybody and even you know members from the city things like that. So, I mean, I'm all for that, but

you'd have to include planning commission.

I think planning commission.

Yeah.

Madam Chair,

can I do we need to have a vote?

We have to operate within the parameters of section 190 or chapter 190 790, sorry. Um, the firearms act that was passed by the legislature several years ago. The protection only extends to the governing board meetings.

Is that us, not the planning commission?

That's right.

Oh, so

so we can't have security for a government building.

Thank you.

You cannot. You cannot. Well,

what's Fernando doing and Panelis doing?

You can have security. You can, but you're you can't have a firearms policy that is inconsistent with the preeemption that the state legislature has has put in place and with the new first district court of appeals law that had that came out a month ago, two weeks ago, something like that. Yeah, the open carry

that that now legalizes open carry in the state of Florida. Only those things which are a conceal a concealed firearms permit would not allow you to go to. So, there's a list of there's a list of things in the state law that says that you can't if you if you have a if you have a concealed firearms permit, you can't go into the meeting of a governing of the governing board. Um, you can't go into a jail. You can't go into

a bar.

A bar.

Um, so we can apply the we can apply that to open carry. We can apply that to concealed firearms. The Yeah. The concern I have is if you start screening in an for an area that they can legitimately carry a firearm into, you can't stop them. So,

well, whatever the law is, we want enhanced protection and we would like you to come back with a proposal for us, right? whatever we're allowed to within the law.

Very well, Madam Chair, Mr. Steiner, thank you for Commissioner Marian.

Yeah, and I think the way you should do it is frankly go ahead and do your research. I think in the interim, the way we had it set up today with the one being done before someone comes in, single entry is good. Uh the other deputy stays up here, etc. Uh this way in case somebody's in and out, which does happen during our meetings that were protected as we're waiting to finally do the final policy.

Yeah. You know, in the courthouse, if you're going to go in there, all with all the judges, you get a big uh just like at the airport terminal. There's

Yeah, that's what Hernando County has for their commission.

Take your shoes off just like that, etc. So, um if we get there, we get there. I don't know. But I think I think looking at it, come back with cost proposals for us, show us the things, and I think you do one-on- ones with us first. as soon as you get it together what you're thinking about doing so any individual tweaks can be thought of and then what it gets brought to the board has been fully as best vetted as possible then we can make a decision on it.

The only thing I want to add is you know if it does add an extra burden onto the sheriff's office um whatever we have to pay for whether it's to staff it what I I'm I'm for if we have to pull it out of the general fund however much that will be for a year for security um I'm fine with that. I just want the security.

Well, we have a baiff already. Why can't he hold the wand in?

Right. But I think they're gonna need two staff members probably. They won't be able to do it with one. Yeah. So, I'm just saying that um I agree with Commissioner Mariano a thousand%. Um I'm just saying I'm willing to take the money for wherever for the security um whatever that looks like. I'm not saying go big or go home, but I'm saying like if it's wanding and we have to pay for one extra deputy, I'm I'm all for that. So,

okay. So, you have your march in orders?

I do, ma'am. We will work with the PSO, develop options, brief individually, and then bring something back to the board. Thank you.

Um, anything else, Commissioner Joerger?

Okay.

No, Commissioner Mariano.

Okay. And I want to say uh JJ, thanks for the invites to those two that that firefighter presentation saving a life was just absolutely amazing. Um, that wife, I mean, to to hear her talk and just a life saved, but the whole family, there's like four other kids as well. Um the mother and father were there just like dramatically uh just just just incredible. And then all the promotions for everybody

and she gave while he was in the hospital.

There we go. That's right. Yeah. 6 months in the hospital.

Yeah.

Wow.

So that was that was impressive. Um and I want to just show you those pictures you asked about. So this is the spray field. This spray field used to sit up about four or five ft higher. It used to be a block of water. It was always saturated from the spray field. So it didn't even drain. Now all that water that's in there is set up and drained. Do you have a few more pictures?

Okay. So it'll it'll definitely hold water. That's a spray field area.

What's the fence all about?

It's a great picture of the fence.

Yeah. I don't like it. I

I had I had son and I'll get those [laughter] pictures. So this this how the new the new pond looks. It's it's all dug out.

But is it fence? Is it fenced?

Uh [clears throat] it looks like just on the side of the inside part. So here's um

I'm not going to say that's an asset to the I mean it is for holding the water but

like say so so keep in mind all that water that was there had nowhere else to go before because at the bottom of bowl etc.

So this is what's there and that's why I say

we talked about doing this into a nice park. It was part of like restore even had something on it.

So now is the time to now that we've taken care of the drainage which is number one. Now let's go look at what we've got on there. You can make some tweaks around like that fencing that you see. We can do that better cuz all you've got to do is actually lower that down like 6 in below the road. The water will the wind drain in there naturally. So, I know we can do better, but I want to say the team did a great job doing what they had to do to get the storm water work, but as you can see, we can do a lot better with the finished product out there.

Yeah, I hope that one day looks a lot better.

All right, next set. Uh, this is a picture. We had our uh homeless meeting here in the West Pasco government center. Uh, very well attended. And I tell you, it took a different approach than what I was thinking. Uh my my first thoughts were, okay, last time we had that meeting like this, we had a lot of the churches that were there that always like to give the food that keep the people in the woods, etc. because they got to find a way to eat and still do their drugs. So, I kind of address that type of thing and I says, "We're going to listen to ideas all the way through. Staff's going to put the presentation on, but we're trying to like take a different approach because what we're doing is clearly not working." And I want to tell you, I thought I was going to get stoned in the sense, but the conversation after that was like really good about let's go look at solutions. Let's go look at uh the opioids, CDBGR, things that can be done. Even the uh Sun Coast Recovery Center, people go up there. Uh they were they were talked about a bit as far as like a solution. So, I want to say it was very positive meeting and uh I think we've moved our homeless meeting where it actually fits my calendar. Thank you. um to get all of us there because I think we all need to hear the solutions that were posed about talked about. I think it'll be a much better workshop for us. But it was a very positive meeting. It went the full two hours. Uh you know Kathy Pauler and and Chief Walters did a did a phenomenal job out there. Um

and it really made people see that okay, we're going to try something different and it didn't get like all negativity. It was all positive stuff about let's go look at stuff and let's go make something happen. You know,

just add what what Jack's talking about on that the one they had over at St. Leo,

right? I talked to Kathy. It went very well. I was not able to go. I had other meetings, but

um they said it went very well. 40 or 50 people there.

Yeah.

And they were very interested in trying to help with whatever they could help with. If you remember when we um converted the um Boys and Girls Club to a family shelter,

we had a lot of opposition, some from our friends, right,

that were very concerned about negative impacts to their communities miles away from from the site. I haven't had one complaint

since I could give you a few, but you but it's not as bad as what was expected.

Yeah. I mean, I I I've been by there. I've never seen I've been there a number of times, not seen any issues. And with Pasco Hope that's, you know, in my district in on Grand Boulevard um in my meeting with Kathy yesterday, is she here

with no with the windows? I sometimes I can't see anybody. Um

we we have how many? 70 80. How many people are there?

A little over 70. And we still have some individuals that have been displaced and uh individuals that are homeless. uh mix of combination there.

So we have 50 pallets there. 50 pallet. Yeah, 50 pallet homes which work great. Then we still have some trailers which are a little more troublesome to manage. Um but no complaints from anybody and I I haven't been there in a while so I need to drive by again. Um have we started any desperate?

Yeah, it's on Grand Boulevard. Yeah. Um,

and I, you know, so I I'm hopeful that we're going to get one over here on the east side. Um, we know that homeless people over here do not want to go all the way over there and they want to stay by their community and their family. So, um, we talked about having a big meeting, uh, and in in and in my, um, talk, I'll talk more about that, but I just wanted to say no no issues from anyone in my constituency. Commissioner Jagger wanted to say something.

Yeah. I just want to give um, Pasco Hope a shout out. I had um, back in the the hurricane days, I had um, worked with um, a veteran named Bob, and he is still over at Grand Boulevard. He had a stroke. Um, and the staff there, David, the case manager, I just want to give him a shout out. He was at the hospital with me with Bob, I asked him, "Hey, can you go get his his medications and his little back book because he couldn't speak. He could not speak at all because of the stroke and he also has dementia, so he couldn't unlock his phone." David went all [clears throat] the way back to Pasco Hope, brought his medications, his black book, we were able to unlock his phone. I mean, the guy went above and beyond the call of duty for someone at the shelter. So, however you can recognize David, I I would really appreciate that.

Make sure we pass along, Commissioner.

So,

all right, Commissioner Mariana.

And just a little bit more. Um, and I know Commissioner Stark, you you saw a presentation on the reef project uh that was proposed up for uh

Oh, yeah. Hudson Beach and Antlo. Something could be really interesting. I know Anthony Thomas is working closely with Mark Bellis on it to try to bring something forward. The Hudson Beach area is just uh really needs something like that. And if you've been to that beach, if you've seen it, we got the best sunset in the world. At the same time, the worst beach in the world.

Yeah.

And we can [clears throat] we can fix it by moving it

by putting a a seaw wall in the side of the south. Put the spray move the bathroom instead of being right in the viewshed area. Move it to the side. put the splash pad in and then create the beach out at the front which we're working on. So, uh that

Commission Mariano, can that same um um project be looked at for Green Key with the with the wall to keep the sand in

because we have to improve our beaches and Green Key is another

not all our residents can drive down to Clear Water to go to a nice beach

and they don't want to. They don't want to spend the money to do the traffic and let's

just want to go out at sunset and

for tourism for for the economic development of people here quality of life here. We need to do better and I know we're going to look at Green Key for a project coming up which I think would be great. Um, and last thing I want to say, actually I got a one video quickly for with Lane Mendelson with Good Two Good Souls, but actually just go ahead and play it.

Hello everybody. I'm Wayne

and Mendlesson.

Hope everyone's doing well. We have a very special announcement that we're going to make

for two events. We will be joining commissioners team. We prove that every donation we do also goes to their team.

How many shoes are we doing?

Finally.

100.

Go team. [laughter]

Team Mendelson.

Yeah.

Great great great people. Great family. He's doing a great job with his girls.

Yeah.

Tremendous. Uh last thing too, I uh did meet the leadership Pasco group who two over in uh West Pasco. They picked up actually at Hudson Beach. We went there, went to Sunwest. They were blown away with all the improvements that went up at Sunwest as well. So, uh, kudos to the board for making that thing just elevate up. That's all I got.

Okay. Um, Eric,

thank you, ma'am. Mike, you know,

Eric mic.

Sort of. Yes, ma'am. Uh, just a reminder to the board that next Friday is a tri county workshop at Tampa International Airport. Uh, today's consent agenda. You guys approve a resolution authorizing participation in that.

And the other thing, we still have a little bit of time. So, it's the chair's pleasure. We can revisit C8 and C9.

Oh, you got the information? Yes, ma'am.

All right. Let's let's bring that up. Even if it wants to meet the afternoon, that's fine. We have very light agenda this afternoon.

Can I just add one thing about the Tri County workshop? Um, if we could keep um Commissioner Latvala in

Oh, yeah. What's our prayers? Um he is in the hospital at Shans and um it's been a really rough touch and go the last uh 3 to 4 days. So if you could just keep him in our prayers that would be great.

Okay. All right. Commissioners, uh Paul on behalf of Kathy Pearson and our team. So we spoke with Chuck Lane. At this time the program is in development. Uh the proposal made by Commissioner Marian is certainly something that we can consider as part of that program. Uh but that won't go live until uh the very beginning of the year. there's still a few questions that we need to answer in terms of the program itself and what that's going to look like. So, we would like to uh come back to you and brief you on that uh once we have final answers

maybe January.

Yes, sir.

Move to continue C8 and C9. January

under discussion. Commissioner Joerger. Um and county attorney. Um if we can we condition these properties to possibly um having money from the CDBGDR if that's approved transferred

I don't believe that you can transfer from CDBGR to pay these off because you've already expended the funds so it would be supplanted.

Exactly. So we can't do we can't do what

So you've already you you have already expended the funds to clean these sites up even if they even if the program qualifies for future I don't believe that these two properties could be would be eligible for CD.

Okay. So future properties may be but not these two.

Madam Chair.

Yeah.

Keep this in mind. We just looked at a thing for security here. We're going to spend who knows how much more money on that. You don't know how you're going to take the money out of general fund for that's if that's the way you go. The money that we actually take from if we wait till January can pay for that extra fund without affecting the budget.

So, so you guys understand that this property has been offered to the public and no one bought it. So, it's just sitting there.

Yeah.

So, so I think we get money into the general fund by putting a house on it and letting them pay property taxes than money that that that lots that are just sitting there with nobody. I agree with

So, so it's opposite. It's what's happening is opposite of what you're saying. This actually keeps the price down on the property that's going to a family that's worked actually put the hours in to earn the right to buy this home.

They're helping build the home

and they're helping you with

that's one part of it, but the other part of it is we're getting a property on there and now right now there's no I mean it's vacant land that nobody wanted to buy and so it's just sitting there and now we'll have a house on it and they'll be paying property tax.

I could I could name a hundred people that would pay $1,000 for this property. They had the opportunity cuz it went for a

not cuz it's for 10 bucks. You're not going to change my mind. So

madam chair call for

the bottom line is to say very clear. I'm going to say exactly what I'm going to say again. If we wait till January, just from what Paula has just said where we think of the plan together.

No, he said you can't.

It's already I basically said you can't for these two properties.

I think we can try that for future properties. I think it's a great idea, but we can't do it for these.

You've already cleaned these properties up.

Yeah. You you are replacing that money with CDBGR money. That's the planning.

I can say that I'm going to sell the property for 25 grand regardless of the cost. It have to be instant everything. I'm not trying to reimburse. I'm trying to make money for what the property should be sold for.

We already tried to sell the property.

If I could if I could get the sublanting if the propertyy's worth 25 grand and someone and I can we can justify that through an appraisal. You can get the money back for the property for what it's worth. Forget the forget the fees that are involved. just to the value of the property. And if you do that after January when the plan's done with CDG, you can do a reimbursement by selling the property from that. At least let's study it.

Let's hear from the attorney on that plan.

Well, if it's market value of the property, I just want that money. You're telling me I can't use CV?

That's a that's a bigger research question.

Then let's take the time to generate and make the right decision for the people of this county.

Okay. And I'm going to make a motion to approve. You've got a motion or so. You've got a

Okay. Vote down. You got to vote down to continue.

Yeah. I'm going to vote it down.

We'll see January.

Okay. All in favor? [clears throat]

I I

opposed. Nay.

I.

Commissioner Jagger. Did you vote? Okay. All right. So, that motion dies. I'll take a new motion.

All right. I make a motion to approve the sale of these two uh properties for C8 and C9.

Second. Okay. Anyone? Okay. All in favor? I opposed.

Nay.

Okay. All right. But I think that's a good idea going forward. So, while we have this money, um, so if we can find out if we can do that, that would be great.

Okay. Um, anything else, Eric?

No, ma'am.

Okay.

Ready for lunch?

Yes. I have an announcement to make. Um, about a me, but that's okay. I don't have anything.

No, I always mess that up. [laughter] Sorry about

Go ahead. Go be over.

To better serve victims of domestic or sexual violence or those filing a petition to save a loved one battling addiction, the Pasco County Clerk's Office has created the Empowerment Room, a dedicated, secure, and private space on the first floor of the West Pasco Judicial Center in Newport Richie. This space is designed specifically for emergency filings, allowing customers to meet with our staff in a setting that prioritizes safety, privacy, and dignity. The room also features a play area for those accompanied by young children. The office is partnering with Salvation Army of Pasco County, whose representatives will be available in the empowerment room to assist victims with paperwork. The Salvation Army also offers shelter, food, legal advocacy, and other vital services. Our empowerment room empowerment room in Date City opened in September of 2023. Since then, more than 2500 people have used that room for emergency filings. Nikki would like to thank the board of county commissioners for remodeling the space to make the empowerment room possible. Nikki will host a ribbon cutting ceremony at noon on October the 14th to officially unveil the empowerment room in Newport Richie. The commissioners have been invited to celebrate the opening of the empowerment room. We hope to see you there next Tuesday. Thank you.

Okay. Very nice. All right. County attorney.

I don't have anything. Thank you.

All right. But I I have more than will be covered in 8 minutes. So I'm going to adjourn early and I'll just cover mine later this afternoon.

All right. So we're journ.

You're on recess for

You're We're on recess. We're on recess. Playground.