9.3.25 Pasco Board of County Commissioners Meeting (Morning Session)

Good morning. Chaplain Anthony is out of town, so I'm filling in for him. As we prepare for prayer this morning, we want to take a few moments and lift up Miss Peltz, who was a longtime county employee who passed away recently. So, let's have a moment of silence and then we'll get into our prayer. Amen.

Amen.

Oh, Father, we have come together for another important meeting today, Lord. A meeting in which important county business is going to be discussed, a meeting in which uh wisdom is going to be required in order to make the right decisions. We also are going to be lifting up several people who are going to be recognized today. So, uh, I would ask that you be in the midst of this meeting, that you guide and lead us in those decisions that need to be made, that when all is said and done, that we can all leave here satisfied, that uh, the best was done for the people in our county. We do lift up uh Miss Pel's family at this time and all of her friends and ask that you give them your comfort as they go through this very very difficult time Lord and just let them know of your presence and your love and your comfort. So thank you Lord for being with us today for being in this meeting for guiding and leading us in all we have to do and I lift us up in Jesus name. Amen.

Amen. To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Okay. Madam Park, can you please call the role?

Yes, ma'am. District one, Commissioner Oakley,

here.

District two, Commissioner Waitman,

present.

District four, Commissioner Joerger here.

District five, Commissioner Mariana

here.

District three, Chairman Starky

here. All right. And um that was a moment of silence for Christine Lonis Pel who was a longtime employee of our utilities uh engineering department. And um certainly we keep whoever was in that horrible car accident on 52 in our thoughts too today. Okay. Um 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 pre-registered for a WebEx link and are currently on quue. 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 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 2 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 when their time is up. Do we have anyone signed up?

Yes, ma'am. We have two. Uh Kimberly Gibbs is the first individual.

Good morning, commissioners. My name is Kimberly Gibbs. I currently reside at 3020 Water Drive in Merit Island. I'm a unit owner at the Belmont Condominiums in Zephr Hills. I'm here today on behalf of the residents of the Belmont condominiums located on Island Boulevard and I'm going to be talking about a transportation issue. So in case you're not familiar, Island Boulevard right outside of Zephr Hills. Silverado is across the street. Silver Oaks is just right down the street a tiny bit. Wesley Chapel is a few miles down the road where you know throughout Pasco County we've seen enormous unrestrained development over the past several years. In January, I was at Belmont when I heard a loud crash and when I went to investigate, I found a truck that had landed in the pond. Several cars were involved. Emergency crews were there and the person had to be fished out of the pond. One would think that this might be a fluke if it happened only occasionally, but we're seeing over the past several years car accidents happening very frequently. There have been deaths involved. A dump truck ran into several cars and resulted in at least two, perhaps up to four deaths. Accidents are occurring every week. Following my experience in January, I reached out to Mr. Vatakouti with the transportation department. I've had many communications with him. He's a fine and admirable public servant, but he's informed me that he does not have a magic wand and that you in fact are controlling the purse. A traffic signal is scheduled for sometime in 2027. That is not acceptable to us in any way. So, I'm here today on behalf of our residents and everyone who's being affected by this disaster for you to go find your magic wand, find the appropriations, and install a traffic light at the intersection of Island Boulevard and Riyles Road and to also implement other traffic calming measures, including a reduced speeding uh speed limit. Today later, you'll be hearing from applicants who want zoning changes to put hundreds and hundreds of more housing developments in Pasco County without appropriate infrastructure. We need more than your thoughts and prayers for all these people who are being affected. And there will be hundreds more car accidents over the next year or two in that location. You approved the housing of thousands of residential units. It is your responsibility to install appropriate infrastructure. We call on you to install the traffic signal right away. Thank you so much. Thank you very much. Thanks.

Okay. The next individual is Pastor Troy Peterson. Good morning, uh, commissioners, staff, clerk, Troy Peterson, 8114 Leo Kid Road, uh, Port Richie, Florida. First off, I want to thank you, commissioners. That prayer this morning by the chaplain touched my heart. So, thank thank you. I know um you know how many how many have dreams? Sometimes you have a dream and you remember the dream. A lot of times I don't remember my dreams. Um the Bible in Joel chapter 2 says in the last days your old men will have dreams and your young men visions. And on my man's servant and on my maid servant I will pour out my spirit on all flesh. And so I take to heart when I have dreams and I had this dream and pastor Lord and I were standing on the stage and God told me specifically to call Commissioner forward uh Commissioner Mariano forward and bless him and have us lead in prayer. There were thousands of people in this field commissioner thousands. So that's why for years about three years I came in here to encourage you guys to have us lead in prayer. Exciting news. Carefest once again coming up September 27th. Now this year I'm really excited. How many you guys know about elderly nutrition, right? Part of Pascal County. We actually have 27 projects from Elderly Nutrition that have all been vetted by Elderly Nutrition that you know this lady needs a wheelchair lamp or this veteran's fence is falling down. There's a whole list of 27 project. We're going to be gathering together at Port Richie Waterfront Park September 27th at 8:30 in the morning. Now, I know in the past commissioners have been involved and and and sent teams out. We've had uh Congressman Bill Ruckus sent send teams in the past. I know Marcy from community development has been involved in the past. So, if you guys could put that on your calendar. I didn't bring a flyer or anything. We have one more commissioner meeting uh till then and I can I can bring flyers. You can even look at our somebody cares page or my personal page or light of the world page. It's it's all on there. Uh we're also working with code enforcement of the city. Um you know, they're in Port Richie and tackling some of these projects. I believe as we continue to be a blessing uh to the community that that God is going to continue to unite his people together to not be overcome of evil, but overcome evil by doing good. Last thing, um I'm really disturbed to see what's happening in Newport Richie with the Gay Pride Festival coming up September 27th. Uh I've talked with staff there in the city. Uh no permits are pulled or anything like that and uh you know, so it's not like years in the past, but if you guys could be looking into that, I'd greatly appreciate it. Thank you for your time.

That is all. Is there anyone else here who wishes to address the county commission? And do we have anyone online?

Okay, then um we will end public comment. Okay. Um I do have a 10:30 time certain, but if y'all are okay, we're going to push that a little bit. Okay. So, um we've got a couple resolutions. Uh, we're going to take those up quickly.

So, I think RS3 first. Is that correct?

RS3.

So, this is a resolution for Joseph Marina. So, Joseph, if you

Well, come on.

It doesn't matter anymore. Sorry. Our schedule's a little messed up. Um, but go ahead. Go ahead and do

ours. Okay. So, Mr. Marina, you want to come up to the podium?

We'll make sure everyone else is here for the others.

And anyone else that you brought with you is welcome to join. Okay. So, this is resolution number 25-323, a resolution by the board of county commissioners of Pasco County, Florida, honoring Joseph Marina for his service to the citizens of Pasco County and congratulating him on his retirement. Whereas Joseph Marina began his career with the Whitlakuchi River Electric Cooperative on January 16th, 1978 as an engineering aid trainee in the Bayonet Point District. And whereas Joseph advanced through a series of roles that showcased his technical expertise and leadership, including engineering aid apprentice, engineer aid one, engineering aid 2, engineering technician at the general office, and district customer service supervisor. And whereas on February 5th, 2001, Joseph was promoted to district engineering services supervisor followed by his appointment as district manager at one Pasco Center in 2003. He returned to Bayonet Point in 2013 to serve as district manager where he has continued to leave lead with distinction and will now close out his incredible career. And whereas throughout his career, Joseph has been a dedicated ambassador of community outreach and service. He conducted numerous electrical safety presentations for the Pasco County Parks and Recreation Department and was formerly recognized by Pasco County for his efforts to educate and protect residents. And whereas Joseph was one of the founding advocates for bringing the Vincent House to Pasco County, helping to expand mental health services for adults with mental illnesses. And whereas Joseph served on the Luchi Area Redevelopment Board, an organization committed to improving the quality of life for residents in Luchi, Trilby, and Triluchi. Under his leadership, the organization contributed to major community developments, including the construction of the Luchi's Boys and Girls Club facility and the establishment of a new manufacturing plant, bringing critical jobs to the region. And whereas Joseph served as a board member of the Pasco Economic Development Council for many years, contributing his knowledge and expertise to support strategic growth and economic initiatives across Pasco County. And whereas Joseph served on the United Way of Pasco County board from 2000 to 2025, including as past chairman and as a member of the governance, allocations, and finance committees. His leadership helped guide the organization through economic challenges, natural disasters, and the CO 19 pandemic while supporting vital programs that provided meals, resources, and emergency aid to families in need. And whereas Joseph's impressive contributions to the community through his many years of dedicated service were documented in an extension of remarks in the US House of Representatives official congressional record where he was honored by Congressman Billis as the 12th congressional district's 2024

hero among us. And whereas Joseph has been actively involved in local traditions such as the Hudson Sea Fest where he generously gave his time and support to foster community engagement and celebration. Now therefore, be it resolved by the Board of County Commissioners of Pasco County, Florida, that said board hereby honors Joseph Marina for his service to the citizens of Pasco County and congratulates him on his retirement. done and resolved in regular session with a quorum present in voting this third day of September 2025.

Approve.

Second. All in favor?

I.

Wow. Um, we're going to start down here with Commissioner Oakley. We work this way and I'll go last item.

Oh, it's yours.

Normally, we start with Oakley's.

Do you want to go first?

Don't want to go at all, but uh you can go first.

Doesn't sound like they're letting me. Well, first of all, congratulations. 47 years. Could you hang in for three more and make it five decades? No, I'm just kidding.

That'll be up to the boss.

So, when I talked to a couple of your friends and they would just go on and on and on about all of your accomplishments and what you've done for our county is just absolutely incredible. And when I was reflecting on that, like just your legacy that you've that you've left in Pasco County is absolutely incredible. The kids you've helped, the families you've helped, everything you've started. Um, we can never fill your shoes. And I I think I can I can honestly say that. I I don't know if anybody can match what you've done to this county for this county. So, I appreciate everything that you have done and I know everybody has. I could speak for everybody. Um, when I was talking to some of your friends, I heard that you love to cook and that you're a good cook. Is that right?

Exhibit A.

We have a little gift for you girls. Can you Can you bring up his little We We got you a little gift basket because I mean 47 years um we we have to celebrate your your retirement. So I think that might be the longest that I recall hearing here.

So, here you go. This is from

This is from district 4.

Thank you very much.

He might live in district 4.

Thank you.

I said it's from district four.

But I think he lives in district 4. Actually, Joe, you live on the west side, right?

You might live in her district.

I do.

Yeah.

Awesome.

All right, Commissioner Oakley.

Yep. Joe, you've uh done a lot in your lifetime and so much for our community and when I say our community, the rec community, which stretches over a few counties. So, we do.

You've done a great deal through your lifetime to help that. We always enjoy seeing you bring us a check for Tampa Bay Water and a check for Pasco County on the rebate for for monies going for our power. So, it really helps out and keep power low for the citizens of Pasco. So, But just I don't know. You can't name just one thing. You just have your hands in everything. I guess they won't rid of you and let you retire so bad that they want to keep you at the same time. So I I heard you were staying for a while. So that's good. Stay active. Also enjoy some trips even if there might be short trips, but enjoy them and especially being with family and that's very important to you. So

thank you sir.

Yes sir. Yeah, Mr. M. It's the co-op is, you know, with Coochie River Electric, it's the name of the business, but it's people like yourself and the others that are in the room that what make up the organization and what make with the Coochie River Electric the the company and the culture that it is and to see generations and generations of of moms and dads that have worked there and their kids go to work there and it being, you know, a mainstay and a pillar of our community and Pasco County and other communities that you serve is just incredible. So to be there for 47 years um and to to go through the good, bad, and the ugly as a business grows and what happens in our in our world and to keep steady leadership at the helm and and um you know reaffirm the mission of the co-op. That's not to your employees but to the customers that you serve. Uh job well done. Congratulations to you all and your family and um happy part-time uh retirement.

Thank you, Commissioner. Mariana.

Yeah, Joe, I tell you what a great career you've had. Worked for a great company, just great people. The leadership from Billy Brown, now with David Lambert and all and the teamwork of your upper staff has been absolutely phenomenal. So, it takes a team to make it all happen, but you've been just such a mainstay. Um, we'll start with like United Way working there for 25 years when the economy dropped back 06 07 and we talked about what we should do, etc. And it was a time we at the time we had probably about 50 or 60 grand into the United Way to help out with some things. And uh we stepped the board stepped it up that year. Even though libraries being cut 30%, parks um all the other cuts we were going through. We knew that our people out there needed we're going to need some help through the those tough times. And I think it was one of the great things we did. And then for the years afterward, you guys always looked at where the money should go, how it was allocated, and you guys just did a phenomenal job. So your your civic association uh group group group group group group group group group group with that is phenomenal. Um you know anytime there's something going on in the county with the coochie seems to be at the forefront of it. Um I know we're going to be working up in Hudson trying to make it safer up there with more resiliency coming looking forward to make that happen. Um you know we talked about the Hudson Sea Fest. I remember like washing down chairs every year etc. Uh just to make that go and then uh this this year with the scholar fest reached out to you guys. I call him up because we had some storms coming in and I said and the hot sun's out there. I says we need to get attend out there. So between Joe and Dave and the whole team. I call him up at 11:00 by 1:00 the tents up and it it came in handy all the way through that whole event which is just a I think it'll be one of great events coming up year after year. So again, that was huge when you did the when every was down in the dumps with the hurricane, and I'll talk about the hurricane in a second, but afterward, we had one gentleman who had a place that had a couple of nice Christmas looking trees, and he says, "I'd like to put some lights up." But I need I need a a big truck to get up there. I called Wilki up. Within two hours, they were putting the lights up. And what that did for the community that day, that time, there was a big round up with everybody there really appreciating all the all the work you did. So, it's not just the the great service, but all the things that you didn't have to do that you you've done. Uh Vincent House and all that was is phenomenal to is a great way to go. Um and you know, from Hudson Luchi, we've just seen so many great things that you've been a big part of. And I want to say during the hurricanes when we had the electric issues going on, we always talk about like how do you shut it off, how do you turn it back on, etc. I can't tell you how many times I'm on the phone with Joe and say, "All right, we got need something over here. need something over

here. Need something over here. And every single time it was going and so many times it would happen like we're on the phone talking about it and by the time we're done with the phone call, a truck's pulling in. I mean, it was just just amazing your whole team what you've done and your responsiveness to help us commissioners serve our people better. Just greatly appreciate. So, I wish you all the best in your retirement.

Thank you. And la and lastly me and yeah what a what a I'm sure there's more but we've just pulled out the some some of your highlights but my gosh um you've done a lot to make this county a better place. Um one of the things that piqued my interest when when um we were going through this is that you were an apprentice electrician electrical apprentice. So, um I'm going to be calling you about NS skills and seeing and maybe we can uh fill some of that time that you're going to have now if you don't haven't got it already filled up with traveling and all that. But we love to have your help. Um you know, kudos to uh your company because they just hire quality people and quality people who care about our community. Um, so many times our local businesses get swallowed up by bigger corporations and and they they lose that local identity and um, caring for the the community. But with Luchi is probably the company I would think of the most that is more involved in making our community a better place. And um, and they've hired obviously great quality people. They stay there a long time. Um, I'm sure they're sad to see you go. Um, and um, we're just we're just grateful that we could do this for you here today. And um, what what's in that basket that he's going to be cooking all of us?

I I'm hoping something delicious.

All right. So, um, let's Oh, well, you go ahead and talk to us and

I'll start crying. So, thank you.

I appreciate Thank you for your leadership without what you do every day. You have some tough decisions to make. I've been here for many, many, many meetings and uh the steady leadership. Mr. Carbala, your state, you have a great staff, county commissioners, you have great staffs and for what you do every day. You need to be commended. Jeff, Nikki, you as well. Thank you for all your help over the years. And uh little bit we've done help. We tried. I you know, you set an example for all the counties that work all the companies that work in our county and um I wish more companies would let their citizens um devote time and talent to making our community a better place like yours has.

I do need to thank my incredible friends here. There there's, you know, first of all, this was a surprise. I wasn't supposed to know about it, but you know how those go. So, I I did find out about it and I thought it was a mistake, but cuz I don't deserve any of this, but uh these folks here certainly do. So, I'd like to give them a round of applause cuz they're the ones that really make it happen. Let's laugh. And of course, our fearless leader, Mr. Lambert, right there. I want to thank him for his guidance and leadership and uh worked with him for over three decades. and it's it's just a pleasure and I'm so proud of of what he's accomplished.

And thanks for all my friends at United Way for being here and others. Uh thank you very much. I appreciate it. And uh that is a great organization you support and and I can guarantee being on the finance committee for many years that we look at every single penny. So you can be assured that any money you give to that organization is well spent and is accounted for down to the last penny. So thank you for what you do there, too.

That was very smart to hand all that.

Yes, it was.

Good move.

All right, we're going to come down and take a photo with you and your family and then we'll let you bring your friends up for a photo.

Okay. That's where I was in my Okay. Um, I think you have friends and family that anyone that would love to get up in the come on up. Whoever's here.

Oh yeah, everybody's gonna squeeze in. This This is wonderful.

Some people might have to go up or do a second row. The tall.

Yeah.

Kath, you guys, you guys double up back over there. Get the hyphen. [Laughter]

I'm getting beaten. Start hired me. Awesome.

Here, I'm going to get out of that.

All right.

Okay. One more. Thank you again.

Thank you so much.

All right, we have a

We're gonna quickly do two more resolutions and then we're going to go to our 10:30 time certain.

Okay. So, this one is for Miss Laura Weekes. Miss Weeks, if you will come up to the podium. [Applause] Okay. So, this is resolution number 25-321, a resolution by the Board of County Commissioners of Pasco County, Florida, expressing appreciation to Laura Weekes for over 36 years of exceptional service to Pasco County. Whereas Laura Weekes was hired on September 12th, 1988 as a library technician for the Pasco County Libraries Department. And whereas during her career with Pasco County, Laura has held various positions in the libraries, facilities, and parks and recreation departments and has spent over 13 years in human resources. And whereas Laura was an integral part of the workforce that helped Pasco County navigate its transition from paper transactions prepared manually or an IBM select electric typewriters to the internet web-based digital era with tools that contributed to the minimization of downtime and the maximization of citizen services. And whereas Laura's work as a secretary supporting Pasco County's geodetic mapping and engineering inspection teams ensured that the foundation for property boundaries, construction, and infrastructure development was maintained and accurately reported. These services are critical to Pasco County's growth management and emergency services for the protection of citizens. And whereas Laura served as a senior secretary, facilities records technician, and administrative secretary supporting Pasco County's parks and recreation department between 1997 and 2012. During which time Pasco County grew from 331,026 residents to 469,755 residents, making it one of Florida's fastest growing counties. And whereas beginning in 2012 as a personnel technician and ending her career as a senior human resources employment coordinator in 2025, Laura assumed greater responsibility for providing critical personnel services to Pasco County, including conducting background checks, ensuring orderly processing of new hires, and accurately reporting personnel actions for Pasco County's almost 1,000 fire rescue personnel. And whereas Laura's work played a pivotal role in ensuring that county staff have a workplace culture which supports our values of integrity, respect, service, excellence, and innovation and driving our mission to serve our community to create a better future. And whereas the Pasco County Human Resources Department and Board of County Commissioners recognize Laura's outstanding work work ethic, dedication, and dependability in her many job duties, making her a valuable team member to the citizens of Pasco County. Now therefore, be it resolved by the board of county commissioners of Pasco County, Florida, that said board hereby expresses its deepest appreciation to Laura Weekes for her more than 36 years of service to the citizens of Pasco County and congratulates her on her retirement. Dun

and resolved in regular session with a quorum present in voting this third day of September, 2025. Move

approval. Second.

All in favor? I

Mr. Oakley. Well, maybe Laura wants to tell us a little bit before I get to talking. So, you want to tell us a little more about yourself and all the things that you learn while you were here being being in different departments you have. I think you have

better knowledge of how this works

happens.

And there's a few things I want to talk to you about, but not in this room about Barbara, but it'll be later. I am very thankful and very grateful from the bottom of my heart to thank each and every person who would be here all day. I have gained so much knowledge and I have so sorry and the friendships and the lives I feel that I have impacted I'm eternally grateful and several people more than several people wow how did you stay that well started when I was 18 years old and before you know it I was having a family and I just kept pushing forward and I I live by four principles that I've learned from people that have um kind of mentored me over the years. Um do the right thing even when it's the hardest thing to do. Don't lie. That'll never turn out well.

Um be accountable. If you make a mistake, own up to it and do the best you can to fix it. And for me personally, I pray and I pray a lot. So, thank you. Thank you very much. I appreciate it. Well, thank thank you for all your service and and I know your knowledge. You can carry it on with you even in retirement that

that'll help you along the way and you remember those great times you had. Of course, you'll also remember some that were maybe not so colorful at times. So, but we meet all kinds of people in in and around government. So, but you meet a lot of nice people and you're doing a great service and you've been doing a great service for citizens of Pasco County and we thank you for that. Thank you, Commissioner. Next,

Commissioner.

Thank you, Chair.

We got to go fast.

Yeah. Miss Weeks, 36 years, folks don't stick around in in positions like that. Joe, with 47 and others, it's just it's just unheard of. So, the organizations, not just here, but any organization that that when folks retire after that period of time, you're missed. And um when folks stick around for that that long, I think people tend to take those positions and those folks for granted because you're just a mainstay there. You're there, you're reliable, you're dependable. And so, thank you for choosing Pasco County for 36 years. And you know, we all have our internal customers and our external customers. And there's probably based on your four principles, who knows how many dozens and dozens and dozens of folks you may have left your mark on. It may be impacted their lives. and for the better over your time here. So, congratulations on a well-earned retirement. Um, and I hope those four principles are are somewhere with with somebody that's still in our organization uh or out in the world. So, thank you for your due. Thank you for being you and congratulations.

Thank you, Commissioner.

And I just want to say congratulations and I hope you enjoy this next chapter.

Thank you.

You deserve it after 36 years.

Thank you,

Laura. Congratulations. Um, I I love the principles. They they're they're phenomenal. You know, one of one of the things as commissioner is we get a lot of pressure, a lot lot of stuff to get done and sometimes it gets done right, sometimes not so much, but we can always come back. And I'll tell you, our team at the county, I think, rebounds to that as well. Like, do the best you can every step of the way. Like my dad, my dad says, you do a job, do it the best you can. Period. But those those four principles are phenomenal. No surprise that you had a great career just because of that alone. So, thank you for that and enjoy your retirement. Thank you, Laura. I think the only office you missed working in was ours. I'm looking through here. Parks and Wrecks, GIS, uh HR, um facilities. So, um I've I've been in the county for 33 years now. I think 33 years. So, we have seen a lot of growth. My goodness. And um uh I'm just uh thanking you for I it's amazing when people work at one place that long. I just can't even fathom it. So, thank you for your decades of service. I hope you have some wonderful plans uh coming forward and we wish you the best of luck in your future.

All right. So,

oh yes, go ahead and then we'll come down for a

I don't know if Barbara wants to say anything or not, but I guess Laura just on behalf of administration, thank you for everything that you've done. I often tell new employees at new hire orientation, if you like what you're doing here and you love the environment in Pasco County, we have plenty of opportunities and and jobs where you can you can work in the same environment but do something different. So, you're a testament to that. Just appreciate the the service and the life that you dedicated here to our county. So, just thank you for all that. Wish you best.

Thank you, Mr. K.

Couple more people over here. You are not [Applause] good to see you.

That's awesome.

Okay, we are on res three. No, res two.

Uh, res two. So, um, anyone here for keep Pasco Beautiful. Um, please come to the podium. This is resolution number 25-322. A resolution by the board of county commissioners of Pasco County, Florida, declaring September 20th, 2025 as Keep Pasco Beautiful Cleanup Day in Pasco County. Whereas Keep Pasco Beautiful Incorporated, a 501c3 Florida nonprofit corporation, has hosted cleanups with assistance from the Pasco County Solid Waste Department since 1992 with the shared mission of engaging the community in sustainable efforts to reduce litter. And whereas the mission of Keep Pesco Beautiful Incorporated is to promote better methods to reduce litter and waste, to increase recycling, and to landscape and beautify our neighborhoods for the environmental health and benefit of Pasco County. And whereas when consumer goods, often singleuse disposables, are littered or improperly managed, they find their way into rivers, streams, and other waterways. These ultimately empty into our oceans where trash then becomes marine debris. And whereas trash, packaging, and improperly disposed waste from sources on land are estimated to account for 80% of the trash found in our waters. And whereas in 2024, the Keep Pasco Beautiful Cleanup aligned with the International Coastal Cleanup efforts had 1,363 volunteers at 59 different locations throughout Pasco County that worked for 4,787 hours picking up 62,000 pounds of trash. And whereas more than eight million metric tons of plastic trash ends up in our oceans every year, since 1986, the International Coastal Cleanup has captured more than 380 million pounds of trash with the efforts of over 18 million volunteers. And whereas the keep the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners encourages citizens to volunteer at the next Keat Pasco beautiful cleanup on the morning of September 20th, 2025 to help protect our waters. Now therefore be it resolved by the board of county commissioners of Pasco County, Florida, that said board hereby declares September 20th, 2025 as Keep Pasco Beautiful Cleanup Day in Pasco County and encourages all citizens to join in efforts to clean up and prevent litter from entering our waterways. Done and resolved in regular session with a quorum present in voting this third day of September, 2025.

Move approval.

Second.

All in favor?

I. So, I was just looking through my photos real fast to um see the photo I took. I don't even know when this was I don't know, decades ago. Um when we cleaned up a big group, Starky Boulevard. I think Mike Wells is in this photo. He's left now. Um I had the former clerk, the judges, school board members, commissioners. We all we all cleaned up Starky Boulevard, but it says Coastal Cleanup on the shirt. So was that that's the different day or is that run through you guys too?

So we partner with Ocean Conservancy and we are part of the international coastal cleanup movement but here in Pasco County we call it keep Pasco beautiful clean up every year every third Saturday of September.

So we we um we collected a lot of trash that day and um I we I've done it a number of times. My staff always goes out and does it. It's it's such a wonderful thing that that you guys do. Um um and I would say that at the intersection of Dubulus and Starky, we found one of our many missing spoons uh with a very distinct pattern that we know our son would throw out the window on his way to school. Um yeah, so that was one of our favorite photos um of the day is is finding that spoon. Um, so I will start with Commissioner Oakley here if you want to say a few words real quick and then we'll take a photo.

We certainly thank you for everything that you do cuz

even though sometimes your job gets tough, but the more you do and the more it it really is very appreciated by the citizens and the cleanup and things of this nature. our our county ought to be cleaner than it is at times and your help in doing some of that is is really thankful for our citizens to be able to see that and know that we do. Maybe we can get some volunteers. So,

thank you,

Mr. Whitney.

Thank you, Chair.

Yeah, keeping keeping Pasco beautiful is definitely a full-time job. it. Um,

it's also, you know, at times a thankless job,

but uh, anybody who gets out there and and works hard to to clean up other people's litter, uh, just can't appreciate those folks who do that enough. I mean, one of the easiest easiest things folks can do is take their garbage and put it in a trash can. There is not a dumpster, a garbage receptacle of some type more than probably 20 or 30 feet from you at any given time. And a little bit of a soap box here, it drives me bonkers when you're driving down the road and you just see people chuck something out the window or there's a garbage can right there. How many times at different event we're at, there's literally a garbage can or recycle bin arms length away and just throw their gum wrapper on the ground. There's a lot of personal responsibility that folks need to have and and take ownership of keeping Pasco clean and our world clean and uh we're just glad you're there to cover that gap and to to keep keep picking up where what people are putting down. So, thank you for your year after year of of of doing the work for Keep Pasco Beautiful. And thank you to all the the uh sponsors uh that come in for Keep Pasco Beautiful and then the art the art uh projects you all do with the kids. um this great organization and thank you for keeping the program going.

Agreed.

Yeah, I'm gonna echo what um Commissioner Waitman said. So, one of my big pet peeves is people polluting in the water. So, like we love to take our boat out and I grab an extra garbage bag and we'll stop, you know, turn around and pick up the garbage because people I think it's, you know, new Boers, they don't realize that things fly out and things aren't secured, but we literally come back with our garbage can, our garbage bag full just from being out on the boat a day picking up garbage. So, um, thank you so much for what you guys do keeping Pasco beautiful,

professor.

Yeah. Yeah. Thank you for your great work. I mean, it's a lot to organize everybody, but I'll tell you, in the years I've done it, the energy of the citizens out there, they just love it. They get out there making their place look better, and I think everybody reflects better on it. And and Commissioner Wman, I'll agree. Nothing more like heart-wrenching when you see people just like just throw stuff out.

Yeah.

For no reason.

Um, so picking all that stuff up, keeping getting the waterways is great and and appreciate your year after year efforts. My Rotary Club, I know we sponsor it, so we're very happy. Newport Richie Rotary. So, uh, we appreciate the work you're doing.

Um, we're going to have you talk to us a little bit about how people can get involved and but we need your name and and uh

just the name

just the name for the records. So, someone someone speak to the community about how how they can get involved.

So, my name is Alicia Hacker. I want to first say thank you to everyone from the board from the solid waste department. For over 30 years, you've continued to support us through collections, through uh cleanup initiatives. So, for this cleanup initiative, you can go out to keep pasco beautiful.org, take a minute, register through our Eventbrite. We've kind of moved into the new age and register online. Now, it if for some reason you can't um register or you do it last minute cuz the I believe it's the 8th is the last day to register.

Okay.

We'll always work with you. Lisa is our

um contact point for the county. So if if you want to reach out to her, if you want to reach out to Michelle and recycling, no matter, we'll take you even if it's on the day of a cleanup, we'll fit you in somewhere because we're all passionate about doing this and as as we know you all are as well.

Do you still hand out those little cleaner those metal things?

The grabbers have grabbers. You'll have a shirt.

Yes. So in advance I still

I have a couple.

So thank you and and the solid waste department for continuing to support us. I love this this program. And we need your last name for the record. Then we'll come I'll come down and take a photo real quick.

Martella, beautiful coordinator.

You got that?

I didn't quite understand it, but Whoever you can take your kids and do this. All right. [Applause] So far so good.

Okay, we're gonna go to our 30.

What is it? R we're going to do the consent agenda later because we are late on our time certain.

R41. Okay. R41. Good morning, commissioners. Mary the Young, interim director of community development. Um, as of some questions that came up regarding the housing authorities voucher program, we have David Lambert and Jeff Scallette here with a presentation regarding their program and to answer any questions that you may have. Wonderful. Thank you.

Uh, good morning, Pitchers. Uh, we want to first thank you for giving us the opportunity to speak to you this morning. Um, we also want to thank Mary for all her help uh in community development getting things done along with uh Kathy Pearson and the rest of the Pasco leadership team to help kind of put this together in a more concise form for you guys. Um, so let's see here. Clickers I haven't used in a while. I'm going the wrong way. There we go. So, first briefly, what is the the housing choice voucher program? It's a fedally funed uh federal program managed by HUD and administered by the local housing authority, which is us, and other housing authorities across the country. Um, it's often referred to as section 8. Um, and it's intended to bridge the gap between what the household can afford and what the actual cost of rent is. Um, the participating households usually spend roughly 30% of their income on rent and the voucher will cover the rest of it. and uh a code of federal regulations uh title 24 governs the housing and urban development uh part and so everything is 24 CFR whatever and that all is related to HUD. So, uh, on the wait list, we have to advertise when we're going to do it. And so, we put that in the Tampa Bay Times. And there's a sample of what we ran the last May. Um, along with this, we also send out notifications to the Continuum of Care of Pasco County, which is Catholic Charity, St. Fence to Paul, Homeless Coalition, One Community Now, all the other nonprofits throughout the county that we work with so that they can let their participants know that the weight list will be open and they can apply. Um, and the next slide is just basically an overview of kind of how the weight list process happens, right? We we make an announcement uh with the advertisement uh tell people where they can apply. It's all done online now. and they would go to the website, put in all their information, and then when everyone's the wait list, the opportunity to apply is closed, we do a lottery to draw down a sufficient number to keep us working for about 18 to 24 months. Uh, which seems to be right around a thousand names. And then once you're on the wait list, we would apply any preferences that we have in our administrative plan. Uh, one of them being a local preference. And if you live in Pasco County, you would go to the top of the list. And here is just uh some verbiage from the CFRs uh on the residency requirements. Um so we are prohibited for having a residency requirement. So anybody in the country can apply and then but we do have a preference once you're on the wait list. And the next the next page is pretty much our preferences that are in our administrative plan. And I highlighted the part where we have a preference. If

you live within Pasco County, you work within Pasco County, uh then you will go to the top of the list to get a voucher. Um and also highlighted one important, it's not based on how long you've lived in the in the county. So you could have moved here yesterday. If you're on the list, then you would get something. Yeah.

And so that's kind of basically all it is. Um we have the next steps. What would you how can you guys help us is you can I guess lobby Congress, talk to them and get rid of the residency requirement where we can do it. Right now it's prohibited and we can't. So thank you all for your time. Uh today I'm the board chair of the Pasco County Housing Authority. have been for 15 years roughly when uh um you know the Pasco County Housing Authority was in receiverhip. So we've been through this question uh a few times before and our hands are tied and constrained. As Mr. Scallet said, this is a federal rule and regulation uh that we have to follow and abide by. Uh just as uh the county attorney sits in every board meeting, we have a housing authority attorney that guides the board on everything we do. Um, HUD, we actually after the request that you made, we actually went to HUD and asked them to give us a ruling. Their ruling was the same that it's been for the last three times that we've asked them is you cannot violate that rule that you cannot put a uh restrict from outside of Pasco County from getting on the waiting list. We will be more than happy to help help the commission if they want to put the dollars in and trying to get that changed through Congress because it has to be changed through Congress. Um but we can't do anything about that. Uh we follow the rules and regulations and HUD is a has a pretty steady hand on that. They have auditors that come in um twice a year who audit us. We have independent auditors that we have to go by and uh they make sure that we're following the program and the regulations to the letter of the law. But the housing authority is much more than a housing authority. It's a community effort. U myself uh John Fennery, Dave Longspar on the board. We've done so many great projects. We're fixing ready to close on the first phase of our veterans housing community which is going to give 39 of our veterans and their families over off Massachusetts Avenue home. Um, Vincent House recovery through work. Uh, Congressman Bill Arachus got $4 million for that veterans project. Um, the state got about uh put in about $700,000 and of course we had community development block grants as well. And Vincent House, Congressman Bill Arachus got us about 1.25 million to build housing for folks with mental illness. But more than that, we helped when we tore down Dade Oaks here in Dade City, that land was uh given over to the city of Dade City uh for a very nominal fee to mitigate the flooding in Dade City. Now we have a beautiful community called Hilltop Landings that was rebuilt. And then in Luchi, uh old dilapidated housing development is now the site of Southeast Culver who is going to bring 125 good paying jobs to Pasco County and they're almost complete. that was housing authority land and to get rid of that dilapidated housing. Um, we donated that property to URADCO and URADCO cleaned up all the environmental concerns and now we're going to have a big manufacturing

plant out there that's going to bring great jobs to the county. We also partner with Youth and Family Alternatives to provide section 8 vouchers for their project so we can help children aging out of foster care so they don't become homeless and live on the streets. just so many good things that we partnered with the county with you all to do and it's wonderful and I understand I want y'all to know I've lived in Pasco all but eight months of my life and I am a Pasco first guy uh um and we've just been restricted by this CFR. We can't make those changes to it. We follow the law just like you have to. Um but we did put in the preference. So, anybody that comes in uh and gets selected in the lottery and they're a Pasco County resident that qualifies automatically goes to the top of the list.

So, I want to thank you all for that and I'll take any questions.

So, um David, um you and I have talked about this before. Yes, ma'am.

Um when I saw the newspaper article and Gina, I I sent you the TV article that I saw.

Can you play that for just a second? And listen, I get I get that what we're talking about here is the federal side of things and you guys do wonderful work here. Um, but we we want to talk about do about do we possibly want to um work on changing tweaking the federal law. voucher program to help provide financial assistance to those who are in need of a home.

Now today Angelia spoke to one person who says she has already submitted her application.

April Woodall has lived here in Metro Ministries in Pasco County for 8 months.

Hopefully not.

She and her son are looking for something more permanent.

I place little things on, you know, to remind me of God through good work. She's hoping to receive a housing voucher from the Pasco County Housing Authority.

She just applied on her phone.

I need the assistance. I'm an older mom with a younger son. So, I need the assistance and I'm trying to find, you know, the job that really sets me in place.

Anybody can apply.

The Pasco County Housing Authority says you don't have to live in Pasco to apply.

It is completely free.

But to make it to the wait list, you have to move to the area for a year. We're anticipating about 3,500 4,000 people to apply. We'll do a lottery of the people that apply and get it down to a thousand and then that's when we'll start pulling people up to wait for us to get a voucher.

It's been almost 2 years since the voucher program opened. Many who receive wraparound services from Metro Ministries understand the need for more services. The organization is working to meet the demand. Metro Ministries recently expanded its residential housing. It doubled its capacity. Now they can serve up to 48 families,

especially with the two recent hurricanes that we had, people losing their homes, and then the financial need where rent is rising, but income is staying where it's at. So, you see a lot more money from the community as well in that aspect.

I think we all should win because we're here for, you know, the assistance.

What else says she has faith that everything will work itself out

in Pasco County?

10 Tampa Bay. So I I think that the issue with us is um well one I'm curious where where you're required to advertise. Um but second we have such need in our own county. We don't need to import need and I would think most counties would feel that way. Um I did talk to Neil Brookfield who I guess is your counterpart in Panelis. I've known Neil for forever. Um, and um, I, you know, he told me his numbers on the phone, but I didn't write them down, so I texted him again. And, and we have the numbers for Hillsboro County. I don't know if Katie's texted me yet.

Those are Go ahead, Jim.

Okay.

So, in Penllis County, uh, they're 43% in their jurisdiction and 57 out of jurisdiction.

So, we do a much better job, Commissioner.

Yeah. So, it's it's it's I think this is a crazy federal rule. I don't know why counties

federal money.

I don't but I don't know why counties aren't allowed to take care of their own people first before importing importing people with with that need that have more needs. I mean, I'm all about helping people. I vote up here all the time for, you know, the low-inccome housing programs. I sit on the advisory council. I'm all for it. But I'm not for advertising to the world to move here and take services away from the people who need it here first. Any other thoughts?

I agree.

So, so Commissioner, I want to and I appreciate your all's comments and concerns and just want you to know that we have to follow the law and while of course. Yeah, it's it's our hands are tied and as you can see with Penllis, the Pasco County Housing Authority does uh 60% of those residents where Penllis is 43. So, we're trying to do everything we possibly can. We will be happy to advertise on any Pasco County community channel uh when we have to do this required advertisement. Um, we do also do it. We advertise on on all of the nonprofits that do housing in Pasco County's uh uh websites and everything else. We want Pasco first. We put the preference in and we try to help every family. But you know when I I will tell you I asked this question that you just asked years ago u right here at the date city business center when the region 4 administrator of HUD was in and that's the same question the board said well we don't want to put um uh you know we don't want to open it up to everyone else and we want to try to help our community first and the county said or the the HUD uh folks said it's a federal program you have to follow the CFR but how we look at this program is like a school voucher. And if the school's failing, we want people to be able to go and get the best education that they possibly can. If someone's in rural Kansas or in Chicago and they can come to Pasco and get a job and raise a family in a better community, the voucher has to be portable to allow them to do that. And that's why we open it up around the country. That was the the the reasoning we got behind it. Um, so that's that's 12 years ago. So it might have changed since then, but that's how it was.

So, um, Neil sent me this. Waiting list preferences are criteria that public housing agencies use to prioritize applicants based on local needs and program goals. These preferences affect the order in which eligible applicants are selected from waiting lists. Legal framework and requirements. HUD regulations allow PHAS to adopt local preferences, but they must be based on local housing needs and priorities such as those laid out in the PHA plan on the consolidated plan. Preference must be adhered preferences must adhere to federal non-discrimination and civil rights laws. Common examples of preferences include residency within a certain jurisdiction, county or municipality only, working families, persons with disabilities, veterans, victims of domestic violence, elderly individuals or displaced persons. I mean, certainly, you know, we want to we want to help all those folks, but it seems to me that we should be able to exhaust our list of local residents who have these issues first before we bring in someone from Chicago.

Commissioner, if they're selected in the lottery,

that's even worse.

Well, well, we're required to do that. So, we're required to do that. And if they're selected and if a Pasco resident, they get preference if they meet the guidelines. We don't there's no Pasco resident in that lottery. It's that's turned away if they meet the guidelines. Now, you remember

you said a resident can be here for one day.

Yes, ma'am.

A resident can be here.

We need to work on this federal.

So, it's a federal rule. We can't change that rule. We just follow the rules and that's it. And HUD ensures that we follow the rules. They have no They send auditors in to make sure we're doing that. I it's I'm not saying y'all aren't following the federal rules. I'm saying the federal rules need adjustment.

Commissioner Mariana,

David, what would you recommend we try if we wanted to go change law to make sure we're being able to take care of our local residents in a better way? Preference is good, but I mean if if I if I don't get drawn in the lottery, I'm sitting out of the waiting list, right?

Yeah.

So, in would you do that lottery draw? Are you going to draw people from in the area or out of the area?

So, it's a lottery, right? So, your number pops up, it it comes in and then we vet the applications and to see if you meet the qualifications. If we don't get enough applicants for the then you come on for the voucher so that we have then Pasco residents get them first. Please remember that. All of those folks, uh, domestic violence, all of those folks here get them first and then after that, you know, they they go to other folks. So, we we that do not live in the county. But, as you can see with the young woman in the interview, she has three, I think three children, and she's trying to get out of Metropolitan Ministries housing so and get a stable roof over her head so she can she can give a better life for her kids. We we want a better life for everybody. You know, it's housing is tough business and I understand what you guys your concerns at. It's a federal rule and I don't know how you change it because congressional district spans many counties in some cases. It's not just a small geographic area and you know if somebody lives in Pasco and works and they've got elderly parents in Citrus and they need them closer and if they can get a voucher if they don't if they're living off of Social Security and meet the requirements that family that lives in Pasco is going to probably put in for those folks uh to get a voucher here. Um I don't know how you change that. The vouchers are designed by the federal government to be portable so it doesn't keep a family in in one part of the country when they can go where where you can get a job someplace else or something.

Okay. So, what's your stats on what we're paying? How many portable vouchers do we have?

I know Pa County had a lot,

but how many people have taken our vouchers from Pasco, moved here for one day, gotten one of our vouchers, and then moved to another?

They have to be here a year. Commissioner understand

one year.

How many do we have?

Um I would say we probably have roughly about 30 35

that have come here, stayed here for one year and then moved somewhere else.

Yes.

And take one of our vouchers and taking it to another place.

That's and that's a very minute number when you consider someone going to some other place. People want to come here. They want to stay here and they want to raise their family here. And hopefully we can get them in our family self-sufficiency program, which we have a very robust family self-sufficiency program to get their first home that they can own or get them in college and get them off public assistance. We've been very very successful with that. And we try everything. You know, we we look at the housing authority as a door in, but not a lifetime door unless you're a senior or somebody that's disabled that can't go any place else. We don't want the young woman that was up there with her family to live in on a section 8 voucher the rest of her life. We want to show that you can you don't need public assistance. You can get a good job.

Transitional

transitional. So we try and and if uh you know we get folks that do get off of public assistance and they go to someplace else home if they work and save up some money.

Habitat's one of our partners. Yes ma'am. So, what um since you since you're very familiar with this, David, do what do you think of the concept that we're paying the difference in rent value when they move somewhere else?

So, Pasco County doesn't pay for anything. It's a federal money. The money comes from HUD down to us and we do the payments. The county has there's no impact.

Not the county, the money that we have for our Pasco Housing Authority, you have a certain budget, right? And then if 30 of these folks have come here and if 30 of our vouchers have ported out to another county and their rent is higher than ours, Pasco Housing Authority pays that delta. Do I have that right?

Well, now with the Hudwood, right? So there's all payment standards for different geographic areas,

right? And if they move to more expensive one, you're picking it up,

right? So, but when we report monthly the higher part of rent, then HUD would adjust their funding accordingly to to match that.

Why doesn't it just go to the housing authority where they move to?

Commissioner, it's it's um because we get a management fee for that and it keeps that money right here. But more importantly, when most people come in to Pasco County, they're not coming in to cheaper rent. I do want to say that for the record. We we had to increase our payment standard by 20% 120% of the rate just to keep our families in housing. HUD just drew that back because of the federal bud budget cuts and uh so we can't do that. So when somebody comes in and the other housing authorities, they're actually paying that the difference. Pasco County

so we're being a recipient more than a donor,

I would probably say. So, I'm not going to 100% say that, but when Pasco, if they're moving in from rural Kansas at $800 a month and they come here to Pasco County uh at $1,500 a month, that has to be made up and that other housing authority has to do that. So, we have more people coming in that have to pay that extra money. And then what the housing authority did because we couldn't keep our land our tenants, our recipients were getting kicked out of home after home after home because the landlords were taking their properties and selling them, right?

And then so we increased it to 120% of what the market rate rent based on HUD says. And then with that, we still couldn't we still couldn't compete with what the private market was doing. That's leveling out a little bit, but that was hard. I mean that you I cannot tell you how many times that we would get the sheriff's department saying, "Hey, we got to evict this person because and they have a section 8 voucher. They and they couldn't find another place in Pasco County to live." So that's why the voucher is portable for them to go someplace else where they can get housing and a roof over their head. But Pasco is not the cheapest place to be quite honest to live. And and um just for I don't know how much my board members know about these vouchers, but the rules are it's very stringent

when you get these. I mean, you're not allowed to degrade your neighborhood and you can't have your boyfriend and whatever move in. I mean, there's there's very strict rules on on around these vouchers, which I appreciate because, you know, back in the day, there used to be very bad connotation. Um um I I you know we're going to be talking about this at fact next week. Um I just I would just want to tweak it so that the local people the I mean I really need to hear from you guys if the locals should get preference first before you start opening it up. I know at one of our A-hack meetings, affordable housing advisory council meeting a couple years ago, we had a gentleman there who was from a worked in this in another state and he said there are companies who people hire to search the country for who has the shortest waiting list and they they just put them on all these waiting lists. Um, so and that sometimes, and I don't know if we have this here, but sometimes people subleasase these um for the year. I don't I don't I'm not saying they do here.

So, Commissioner, I want to address

supposed to.

It's not that that hasn't happened, but those folks go to jail. the United States Department of Agriculture and the United States Department of Housing and Urgent Development, they have officers of Inspector General and they will prosecute you and then you're banned for life and those folks go to jail,

but they they they put someone in for the year and then they do the portability thing.

So, this is how it was explained to us at the Ahack when I first was learning more about this.

So, I just want to address we do in-person interviews. Um,

yeah, because some some I know during CO they were doing them online and so they didn't even have to prove that they lived here, right? Um, but you require them to come here and have an in-person interview.

Yes.

Um, but you know, it's meaningless if if a if a if a resident only has to be there for one day, what kind of rule is that for local preference? That's that needs to be tweaked as well.

One year.

Yeah. They should have to have lived here at least one year before.

That's the rule. One year?

No,

they can't. They can't leave within one year. They only have to be in Pasco County to meet the lo the local preference one day. That's the law and we can't change that. So, madam madam chair.

Yeah.

So, I think we're going to change it. I don't I don't think probably the venue. I think

No, that's going to be NO.

Yeah, I think

but FAC's going to work on a resolution.

Okay.

Um and we're going to bring it to NO.

Okay. Um, we talked about it once, but we haven't gone as far as suggesting language. Um, but you know, I'm checking out what you guys think um to have support to bring this.

Okay. I need Yes.

Yeah. It's a big it's a big lift though. So, I mean, it's not it's you know, we try to do u different things with naked when it's when you have a isolated group that just wants to get something done is one thing. If there's broad support everywhere, then maybe it's something. Yeah. So maybe

that's why we start with fact.

Okay. So fact, then you got Florida coming in, but you're going to need to go to one of the NATO groups and just kind of

That's my my committee.

Okay.

CWD, community economic development workforce. We deal with HUD.

Yeah.

If you got to get the majority of the nation to go to go with it, I think that's I think Niko is going to be your number one um to to make it.

Yeah. And David, I might get you on a national call with my committee with commissioners from all over the country.

I'll do my

because you know, um, in Penllis County, there's a county commissioner sitting on the Penllis Housing Authority. I think it's Commissioner Flowers. I'm not sure. Um, we we don't have anything to do with you guys except, you know, proving things here and there. Um, so it's not something that the commissioners are real up on, you know, how how you guys work. Um, but we're glad you're here. You're doing great work. I know this is a federal thing. I do question um where you have to advertise. If we could work on keeping that small and quiet um that might be better than

Yeah. So there's there's in one of the handouts is a regulation of where we have to and

we don't have any handout.

The must give public notice by publication in a local newspaper of general circulation and also by uh minority media and other suitable means. The notice must comply with HUD fair housing requirement.

We'll help you with that.

Well, I mean okay we look forward to it. Yeah.

Federal law.

Um any other questions for these guys?

All right. Thanks so much. And we're looking forward to that veterans uh program opening. I pass it almost every day and it's looking great.

December. December.

If you need trees, please contact us. We will supply the money for trees. Not the landscaping, but the trees.

Thank you.

Okay. Um we are on to the consent agenda. Do we have any polls this morning? We have C17 uh withdrawn and C18 um pull and discuss Commissioner Mariano. Any other items? I had some questions but they were taken care of on my drive-in. So I'm good to go.

We approve the rema remaining consent agenda. Second.

All in favor? I

I

Okay. Um first one's a withdrawn. Commissioner Mariana C8.

Yeah. I just wanted to bring it forward. I think it's great that we're going to recognize the grant funding for this uh 585 million would is great opportunities to fix a lot of things that uh need a lot of work. So I I think it's a great accomplishment to get it done this quick and I just kind of want to bring it out and uh just draw attention to it. So I'll move approval.

Yeah. Godspeed on all that.

Um all in favor?

I have a second.

Who's over here?

Okay. So I think we're on to commission writings actually. Oh, R42. Let's Thank you. And I'll start signing.

Good morning.

Good morning. Carrie Roberts, purchasing director for Pasco County. I am here today to discuss item R42, PU2500041, the review of the county's denial of eligibility to protest award of solicitation number IFB CA-25-086 as needed sod megascapes Landscape Services, Inc. in the amount of $1,410,000. Thank you. All right. What happened? What' I do? Oh, I did. There we go. No. Again. Sorry about that. Technical difficulties.

No, this is

nothing's my presentation.

Um, Kim Fini sent it to you. I had a presentation. The vendor did not. I can send it right now to you. Apologize. All right. As we said, this is the protest eligibility for bid IFB CA25-086 as needed side. We had three bids that were open on June 3rd from Agrurf, Megascapes, and Sunb Belt Sodrading. On the 4th of June, we had an inner office memo recommendation from public's works. Um, we issued a notice of intent to award to Megascapes on June 6th. On June 12th, Sunb Belt protest was received in a timely manner. On the 17th of June, the purchasing director sent a letter denying eligibility to Sunb Belt. On 618, Sunb Belt requested the county administrator review the eligibility. On 72 of 25, the county administrator upheld the purchasing director's determination of eligibility. On 71225, Sunb Belt requested a review of protest eligibility to BCC. And then on 7:21, another interoffice memo recommendation was received from public works, just upgrading um additional funding for public works. Had nothing to do with the award itself. Okay, let's drag it in here. All right. For um the deniability eligibility, the county deemed that Sunb Belt was ineligible to protest the award. Per section 2-124B6 of the Pasco County Pursing Ordinance, the protesting vendor must be an interested party to dee be deemed eligible to protest. The ordinance defines an interested party as a person whose entity has direct economic interest, would be adversely affected by one, a solicitation that has yet be closed by responses or two has been submitted with a response to a solicitation and a notice of intent to award has been posted. A notice of intent to reject its responses or all responses has been posted or a notice to short list response to the solicit has been posted. As the third bidder for this solicitation, Sunb Belt would not have been directly affected by the award of this bid should the lowest responsible bidder be deemed non-responsive or non-responsible. Our recommendation is that you uphold the decision by the county administrator to deem Sunb Belt ineligible to protest the award of IFBCA-25086 under section 2-124 B6 of the pursing ordinance and award the contract to me Megascapes. And I believe Sunb Belt is here and would like to discuss.

Okay.

Have you set up a time frame, Carrie?

Yes, sir. They have 10 minutes.

Good morning, commissioners. My name is Lesie Silvin. I'm the president of Sunb Belt Side and Grading. We're a small family-owned business located in Hillsboro County. We have held contracts with Pasco County since 2004. In addition, we have extensive experience working with various other local municipalities under similar contracts. The background of my company reflects my deep understanding of the procurement and contract process that came with the working for local municipalities and utilize taxpayer dollars to fund their projects. I appreciate the opportunity to speak with you all today and respectfully request that you hear our reasoning for not only our eligibility to protest this award, but also our protest of the award itself. I am not here today to complain to you. I am here to advocate for fairness, transparency, and integrity of the procumbent processes and govern how small businesses like ours engage and do business with the county. The first address our eligibility to protest. It has been made clear that Ms. Roberts and Mr. Carbala's opinions remain remain the same as they do not believe that we have any basis to protest this award as we were the third ranked bidder at the time of bid and as such the claim that we do not have any financial interest in this award. However, I dispute that opinion for a couple reasons. One, the basis of our protest, which will be outlined in further detail momentarily, is that the county's procurement department did not do their due diligence in issuing the recommendation of award to you all. When they provided you with a recommendation of award, they recommended a business that does not meet the minimum outlined requirements as set forth in not only the bid solicitation documents, but also a business that does not meet the requirements of the state law. Yes,

she's now beyond what the purpose of this protest is. This protest is to hear whether why she believes she's eligible to protest the award.

Oh, I'm I'm getting to that part.

Okay.

But you're going on to the fundamentals of the of why you think you should have gotten the bid.

Well, basically, I feel like that I should be entitled um to have a protest due to that I did bid the the bid um as a public record when that was the recommendation of award was listed. I didn't know if I was the second or third bid because that wasn't notified. It didn't give the tabulation. It didn't say the biders. It just simply said it was recommending it to mecapes. When I saw that, I looked and I saw that Megascapes as per the bid res um contract guidelines was supposed to be in business for a minimum of three years. And as public record, they were not. And also I realize that the E-Verify program stating that a company does not employ illegal aliens. They're not they're not in that they don't do E-Verify. They're not listed in the E-Verified database. So that's when I decided to protest the bid. At that point, I didn't know that I was the second or the third. that was made aware to me later on when Miss Roberts uh did a a teleconference with me at my office. So my standing is is how can you award a contract to a company that doesn't do the E-Verify system which is a state law not only you know it's not just Pasco law it's state law it comes down from the state so if you do indeed award that company you are allowing them to not to to receive pack taxpayer money without being everified. So they may have illegal immigrant that actually work there because why else would you not be in the verify system if you did verify all your employees.

You have your 10 minutes. So I mean

okay.

Yeah.

Well, we we'll we will bring up the county to answer those questions when you're done.

All right. Let me continue. In the event the first ranked bidder had been disqualified due to the fact that they were not responsible responsive biders that would have put us as the second ranked bidder which would have gained us financial interest in the award based on Miss Roberts and Mr. Cabbal's interpretation of the considered having financial interest. Had the first ranked bidder been disqualified in the situation above, then the purchasing department would have also found the second ranked bidder was also not a responsive responsible bidder at the time of bid that did not meet all the requirements of the bid documents and in violation of state law. In the event this would have occurred, my company would have been found the lowest responsible responsive bidder. Based on what should have taken place, I strongly believe that my company does hold a firm financial interest in the improper recommendation of award. My companies work diligently to meet every requirement set forth by the county. We strive ourselves on being an upstanding business that provides a quality service and does not does business the right way. We don't cut corners. We don't skirt insurance requirements or liability. We follow all local, state, and federal laws and regulations. Not only do we ensure that we are qualified for the requirements of any particular bid or contract that we pursue, but we are readily able to provide backup documentation supporting it. Throughout our 25 years in business, we have built a reputation for professionalism, reliability, and above board business practices. Throughout the years, we have incurred additional overhead costs in comparison to other companies that do not meet the same requirements. Because of this, we are compared to a non-qualified company. This puts us at a disadvantage rather than a level playing field as we are comparing apples to oranges. When we responded to the solicitation in question, we did so with full confidence in the county's commitment to equitably opportunity. Unfortunately, the decision that we here that we're here today protesting reflects a breakdown in that process. Whether due to procedural inconsistencies, unclear evaluation criteria, or overlooked qualifications, the outcome has disadvantages not just to our business, but the broader principle of fair competition. I believe that the evaluation process was done so without any due diligence. While certain requirements were set forth in the bid solicitation, the purchasing department did nothing to verify those requirements before using a recommendation award to you all. To be clear, the first rank bidder, Megacape Landscape Service as Inc. should be disqualified due to the inability to meet the two different requirements. In accordance in accordance with the specification document of the bid solicitation specifically page 2 paragraph 3.1.1 business must have been in business for

three years according to Sunbiz Megascapes Landscape Service Inc. was registered with the state of Florida Division of Corporations on 912 2022 at the time of bid as well as the time of the purchasing department's recommendation of award and even as of today Mega Skips Landscaping Services Inc. has not been in business for the three years. Miss Roberts explained that there's a similar entity as another Mega Scapes Landscape and Maintenance, Inc. However, that is a completely separate entity in the Florida State Division of Corporations and has a completely separate EIN and it actually registered even to a different state than the one submitting this bid. In accordance to the bid solicitation document titled B general conditions 4-3-24 specifically page 7 paragraph 26E verify requirement. It is explicitly stated that a contractor or consultant entering into a contract with a public entity such as the county is required to be registered with the US Department of Homeland Security's E-Verify system and to utilize it to verify the work authorization status of all newly hired employees throughout the term of the contract. The failure to comply with this requirement constitutes grounds for termination of the contract and for such other penalties as provided under section 448.095 of the Florida state statutes. The failure to everify is not just technically listed in the solicitation documents. It is the direct violation of Florida statute 448.095 which mandates its use for public contracts. By recommending an award to companies that failed to meet the requirement, the procurement department has not only disregarded its own criteria, it's endorsed the violation of the state. The second ranked bidder, agitator premium sad, was not registered with the department of homeland security e-verify system at the time of the bid. And as for the same reasons I just outlined, should also be disqualified as a bidder. These are not just minor oversightes, they are clear disqualifying disqualifying violations. As a small business that meets all the qualification requirements that align directly with the scope of work as outlined in the solicitation documents, I strongly believe that we are unjustly set aside and not given a fair chance to serve the county. Since this new solicitation is for a full five years versus the historical 2-year contract, we will not have the opportunity to be awarded this contract for another 5 years due to no fault of our own. Upholding the decision sends a discouraging message to small local businesses. It suggests that despite meeting all requirements, our efforts may be still be dismissed with clear justifications without clear justifications. Additionally, the citizens of Pasco County deserve to know that their tax money is spent with companies that win awards based on fair public bid processes as well as companies that abide by the laws of the state of Florida. It shouldn't have to

be said that taxpayer dollars should not be awarded to businesses that knowingly and willingly operate outside the bounds of legal compliance. Doing so undermines public trust, sets a dangerous precedent, and penalizes businesses like ours that invest in doing things the right way. When public dollars are awarded to non-compliant vendors, it sends a message that rules are optional. This isn't just unfair to comp compliant businesses. It's blatant misuse of taxpayer dollars. I'm not here today to ask for special treatment. I'm simply requesting a fair review of the process and procedures that took place to get us to this point. a review that will consider the facts and documentation and the values that the county claims to uphold. Since all the bid documents and packages are public record, these are items of non-compliance that I have outlined are available for anyone to review at their leisure. This isn't just about one contract. It's about several. I mean, they could be the ripple effect. How many contracts have been awarded and that process to see if they even are in the Everify system? Has it been done?

Okay. Thank you. Um, I have some questions for our staff.

Anybody else have any questions for her?

Okay. Thank you.

Um, and I know you went over this when you briefed me, but if you could go over the the the name

and the eBay.

Yes, ma'am. So, for Megascapes, they are the same business. They were they've been in business for over 20 years here in Pasco County. They were advised by their attorney about two years ago to separate part of their business for um legal purposes and they did so but they are the same company with the same owners at the same location. As far as the Everify requirement, the way our documents are written is it says that they have to participate in the Everify program. They do not have to provide us with any documentation at the time of their bid. When we asked Megaskcapes for proof that they participated in E-Verify, they have provided it to us and they are currently registered with Everify. Anybody else have any questions?

Okay. Board's pleasure.

Move approval of staff's recommendation.

Second.

All in favor?

I.

Thank you, ma'am.

Thank you.

And that that includes not only upholding the the county administrator's decision, but the award of

Yes.

Thank you.

Yes. Okay, we're on to commissioner items. Correct.

I have um brought back to you a little report on on what's happening with the pipeline to uh South Hillsboro. Um, a project is one of seven short shortlisted water supply projects recommended to the Tampa Bay Water Board in November of 2023 uh for implementation by the year 2033. That's a long time. That's 10 years that it's going to take to get that pipeline in. uh where they are right now. Uh that this project's uh scheduled to provide six somewhere between 6 and 12 million gallons a day of water to South Hillboro. Uh scheduled to uh consider approval to proceed with the design and uh construction of the well field in October 20.

Mr. Can I ask 25?

Can I ask you a question on that?

You may.

Um, as you know, when I was on the board, um,

I was hoping that they would consider putting a multi-use path uh on that corridor. So, I'm hoping someone's

keeping keeping that bell rung that

we'll check with and be sure it is. And

yeah, I mean, that's a great

when you were there and we talked about that. It's going through that that corridor is going through a very builtup area that has no no recreational opportunities for a lot of the community. So, it's a great marriage. So the South Hillsburg line uh project uh includes the design and construction of the 26mi regional pipeline that will be uh capable of 65 million gallons per day in the future when it's finished. So um

they have they had no water pressure down here.

Here's their Yeah. That very low water pressure. They

Yeah,

they got building out in front of their infrastructure big time.

Well, it took a long time to approve funding.

I mean, they made some moves for water moving it in there and it's the pressure is better than it was, but this line will fix that for the future. So, but they're uh currently 9% in design. uh the pipeline. Um I think they're 90 90% of of design right at this point.

Well, I hope they including a trail on that. Jack, you got to stand mix.

So, let's see. uh pipeline is completed is to be completed by fall 2025 permitting and final um fall of 2020 construction expected to begin which that means it'll probably be around late 2028 pipeline u service going on to 2029 construction uh completion Um the fact of it is is like n it's 90% design now but once they get construction but they've been working with properties they have to find the rightway that they can work through a lot of homes and down streets and I'm I know they've already had they've had some properties that came very easily. They have some that have caused issues to the point of uh they might have changed their direction uh not so much longer but just veered off that path a block or two to continue along the south. So they've been working through all those issues before they start that construction. So

who are the Hillsboro County Commissioners on on Tampa Bay Water right now? Wor,

are you on deadly water?

No, Jackson. Harry Cohen.

Harry Cohen. And who? Who?

Josh.

Josh. Yeah.

But um Oh, Phillips. Phillips is on there again. She was on there when you were there before or she from Pine. Might be Pine.

Yeah. Yeah.

Okay. But um

it's going to reach out to them. There's a lot of good things happen to Tempe Water and uh one of the rules that we were we asked for to be changed was the fact that we used to on high water levels we used to pull only 10% of the high water level uh to go into the reservoir and swift Med has given us permission to go further to 90% of the high water level

and due to that this last meeting we had our reservoir that holds 15 billion gallons was still at 10 billion gallons at this point in time which is higher than it has been in the past but if you I mean you've heard early on some of those rainfalls that came there was a lot of water coming

and they were able to capture that and a lot of people don't realize you can pull 200 million gallons a day out of the river and the other water bodies into into that plant or that reservoir and you actually are using about 200 million gallons a day in the whole system of Tampa Bay water. So, it's a very good program going on. Uh, one thing everybody's heard of, it's not probably going to mess up the name. This mineral that they got to take out, that's

Yeah, well, the cost of that like $525 million to treat that water.

It's got to

get rid of that. We only have two or three locations within our system that has that over amount that we'd have to treat it.

But there's a lawsuit and we'll recoup some of that money.

Um I I think when I was on Tampa Bay Water, we were the largest water utility that was involved in the class action.

So we were by far the largest. Yeah.

It's really working well. And the diesel's bringing instead of like 10 million gallons a day, we're getting 20 million gallons a day out of the Delaw plant now.

Very good.

Yeah.

Okay. Anything else?

That's it.

Okay. We'll get to Commissioner Weightman and then we'll pause.

All right. So, our uh we had our PEDC meeting this week. Mike and I were there and they had a new chair. So, Paul Manuel's going to be Oh, awesome.

The chair. he's been working towards it for the last last five years to get to the get to the post and so he was he was pretty excited and uh which is which is really neat because this this Thursday on the 4th uh it's PEDC's 37th annual awards banquet. So hopefully we'll get to see you there. Uh it's at 5:00 at the the world famous Saddle Brook Resort and uh should should be a good time in one of their new and updated ballrooms. So, um, people are pretty excited. I know Paul's pretty excited there. So, congratulations to him. And then one last thing, just want to something I think we can all I think is important to highlight the collective effort here is the Kirkland Ranch acquisition uh and part and the partnership between uh the state of Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson uh the governor and Florida legislature and preserving uh 974 acres on that remaining ranch site. and um you know can't thank the Kirkland family enough for um you know deciding to to create a legacy and and and selling their property uh to the state and uh I don't really want to put words in the water management district's uh mouth but I think within the next couple of years there could be since they own it since the district owns it in fee uh some potential recreational opportunities for that site

it's so it won't just be

it's not a less than fee

no he's Brian Armstrong says it's in fees. So, you know, I think there's a current cattle uh lease on there. So, depending on when the the however those pieces of the contract work out, um it could end up potentially being a great amenity for all the folks in Greater Wesley Chapel and and Connected City and the villages of Pasadena Hills area um to go and explore nature on on a beautiful piece of property, a legacy ranch. And so, just great work done there. But again, couldn't be done without willing sellers and so can't thank the Kirkland family enough um for uh providing the opportunity to preserve a piece of Florida and a piece of Pasco history. So that's all I have.

I'd add one thing to what he said.

It's a beautiful piece of property in District One.

Um the uh what was I going to say? Um, Tampa Bay Water sent up a a letter to the state last week um uh signifying that they're going to participate in the Ampskills apprentichip program. So, we're very excited about that.

And, um, and Kirkland Ranch is one of our three schools that Ampskills has expanded to this year. So,

um, we will be hopefully working with the students there, getting them on meaningful career paths. Okay, we're going to break for lunch and we'll be back at 1:30. [Music]