Old business COVID vaccines and Port Ritchie CRA

51:49All right. Again, R 52 would be heard after public hearing this afternoon. At this time we will move into old business. We're going to start with Commissioner Moore.

52:04All right. Thank you, sir. Give me one sec. Let me pull some notes out here.

52:07We're gonna see some football.

52:11All

52:11right.

52:13He made a video for us.

52:16All right. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um well as everybody knows, we now have COVID nineteen vaccines at our public locations throughout Pasco County. So I do wanna thank uh emergency manager director, Jared Moskowitz, um, for listening and and and taking a call we had uh a couple of weeks ago. He I mean he's he's He's uh doing a great job with what he has, especially, you know, he's he's been limited what he was getting coming down through the state and um now things are picking

52:46up. Um, but he's um been a definitely stepped up and been a good advocate for our county. So we appreciate uh Mr. Moskowitz and um Governor DeSantis. Um for helping out with that. Um So our seniors, you know, in addition to going to the sp locations that the State Health Department already has set up in West Pasco and East Pasco, now they do have that opportunity to go to Publix. Again, just a reminder that is um through Publix. Um sign up is not through any county

53:16website or a s any type of state website. You do need to go to the Publix in their own portal to do that. But again, thank you, Mr. or Director Moscow, which we really appreciate you. Um So just a follow-up to our Port Ritchie uh C ARA conversation um from the previous meeting. Um and I want to thank Mr. Biles for he's going to be attending their uh CRA meeting at uh sometime after after this after later this afternoon. So we appreciate you doing that. I do appreciate

53:47Mayor Tremblay and Commissioner Starkey setting that up and having that conversation with us. They did have um they had their uh CRI board meeting that night. Um, and I did watch it um on Ripley Up. And um the mayor did bring up our concerns, which I appreciate. Um, and we thank him for doing that. Um they're again they're meeting again tonight when Mr. Biles is gonna be there with a new city manager. And I'm sure Mr. Biles can explain to you that he had a con he'll talk during his time that he did have a conversation with the city manager,

54:17and it was a good conversation. Um so I pulled the taxable values for those areas in Port Ritchie that we spoke, I spoke about. Yeah.

54:27And I'm gonna say it again, one street um in Port Ritchie that hi has a higher taxable value than the two neighborhoods. that Newport Ritchie pulled out of their CRA. So that's an example. I spoke about it that day. looked up the actual taxable values through the property appraisers site And they're higher than the whole area that New Port Richey recently pulled out. So Florida statue was a one sixty-three point three four

54:57zero uh defines Sierra as as being slum or blighted areas. Um and that's clearly not um as we discussed that day a blighted area. Second, you know, during that CRA meeting that I watched, um, I think they're confused a little bit on their authority as a community redevelopment agency. Um, because when they discussed our concerns on the entire city being within a CRA, um one of their council members stated they did not set the boundaries. Again, the council members stated that they did not set the boundaries,

55:27that the state did. Well, that's incorrect, as we all know. So I know that will be come up later this evening and Mr. Biles has our concerns, but I just for the record, I just want to remind them that they do set the boundaries. The state doesn't or the county doesn't. Now if you would like us as a county to set your boundaries for you, we'll be more than happy to set those. And I have no problem doing that. Um So they have that ability to do it. So Florida Statute 163.361

55:58Modification of the Community Revelopment Plans reads: if at any time after the approval of a community redevelopment plan by the governing body it becomes necessary, desirable to amend or modify such a plan, the governing body may amend such plan upon the recommendation of the agency. The agency recommendation to amend or modify a redevelopment plan may. include a change in the boundaries of the redevelopment area to add land or to exclude land. from the redevelopment area or may include the development and implementation of community policing innovations. So I know the state audits

56:28happening too. We'll see what goes on with that. But again, thanks Mr. Biles for moving forward. So I just wanted to state that for the record. And Almost last. Um, congratulations to the new Super Bowl champions, Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It's a big deal, right? It's huge. It's huge. First team to play, as we all know, in at home during the Super Bowl in uh dominating performance by uh the defense and uh Tom Brady and the entire offense as well. So congratulations

56:59and Go Bucks. We are proud of you and uh Pasco County, I know, was watching intently When that game happened. And a special happy birthday to Legislative aid extraordinaire. Andy Taylor.

57:17Sheriff Taylor.

57:18Sheriff Taylor, his his uh his his birthday was actually on Super Bowl, so we're we're celebrating today. Oh yeah. Yeah. So so that was a good birthday present for him. So I think with that, I'm uh I think I'm good. Thank you. All right.

57:32Ms. Starkey?

57:33Yeah, I also wanna give a shout out to our Tampa Bay Bucks. That was that was awesome. I didn't think it was going to be that close, but um I enjoyed watching it from uh down in St. Pete. Um And uh

57:47much of a blowout to some of us?

57:49Yeah, no, I I wasn't predicting five three. I had no idea it was gonna be like that. So

57:56I don't think

57:56anybody else

57:57does.

57:57Plus, it's it's so frustrating that we've had a year like we've had in Tampa Bay with all our teams winning um at such a high level and not being able to financially recoup everything. So I'm looking for another repeat this year. And yeah. So um well let me start at the bottom of my notes here and talk about the CRA. You know, uh I had to leave to get on this national phone call. Um, but what I really wanted to it uh reiterate is not only Is it concerning about the

58:28that they have the whole boundary of the city in the C RA? Um but that such a high percentage of the taxes collected Аргою сарєс рада than And and infrastructure improvements. And that's that's really concerning to me. So I hope I don't know if they talked about that at the meeting. Um And uh so I really hope you bring that message that you know. Yeah, that's that's very concerning. Um

58:58and again, I I think you know, we all want to work with Port Ritchie. They've got they've got that wonderful, wonderful um bayou there that we want it to be you know, the best it can be. And we want to help them with that sidewalk going underneath 19. Right. And so uh we all need to work together, but That money that they're putting towards salaries could go a long way to building that sidewalk. And frankly, I don't see the state giving them money to help build that if when they're misusing their

59:28tax money. So we need them to get that cleaned up so that we can all work together and get that sidewalk done.

59:34It can I can I just ask Yeah it thank you, Commissioner Fergus. I I think if I'm not correct in if They would actually pull more avalorum. in some of those neighborhoods if they pulled it out of the C RA, so we'd actually have more revenue that is not encumbered because if they the C R uh dollars are sp only supposed to be towards certain things. So Am I not correct on that? I'm not sure.

59:58We haven't run the numbers, but with the area you're talking about, they may actually have more. But we've we've not run the numbers. Yeah, but

1:00:03I there's a there's a good possibility that

1:00:05theoretically that could happen.

1:00:07That they could use for other things. Yeah, then it's On board.

1:00:13And and also another point that you said, you know, we understand we have the big We have a lot of staff with a lot of expertise and we stand ready and willing to help Port Ritchie get to where um you know we all think they they should get to. Um I so I also was on a call last week with um Uh Jared Moskowits and um I was very glad to hear that the state is getting that 16% bump that's guaranteed. Um The

1:00:43uh uh A Andy Fossa had asked me to ask him about the nurses and getting more nurses because we're we're quite thin on on nursing staff as we're spreading out, going into communities. Um He and Andrew's looking for more nurses, so just putting that call out there. Um and I continue, as I'm sure many of you do, to get emails that People are frustrated that they can't get into the system. But more and more there are more

1:01:13and more avenues for people to find ways to get vaccinated. I I think I read this morning Walgreens is now gonna start being a site and um In uh Walmart, I think. But now whether it's here or not, I know sometimes they're rolling that out in rural areas. Um, but more and more areas are are being rolled out. The problem is still the supply of the vaccines. But uh I do I am concerned. And want to be sure we're doing

1:01:44all we can to make sure that our citiz our senior citizens who don't have access to computers and aren't computer savvy are able to figure out how to get to get on. I I I'm hearing this over and over again. So Um Maybe we can have um Mike or or someone uh report to us again what we're doing to help seniors. And you know, I don't know if that's his responsibility or can we can we help? Um I know we've

1:02:14got CARES involved a little bit, but but CARES is not all over the county. So I just think we need to do a little more to help our our seniors without computer skills. Yeah. Learn how to get vaccinated. Well there's

1:02:30Want to have to they have a telephone number?

1:02:32They have a telephone number as well.

1:02:33I know, but I I'm hearing

1:02:35that

1:02:35it's really hard to get through. Okay. So

1:02:38you have a hundred thousand people trying to get a thousand shots. It's gonna be hard to get through

1:02:43for now. I'm still wondering if we if we can be more proactive and helping people get pre registered. Commissioner

1:02:49Starkey. They did say they are taking the names in cues. So if they want to have them call them back, they don't have to sit on hold all day. They will actually call them back to help them schedule the appointment. Keep

1:03:01going through until they get something, I guess. No. Um All right. Well I I just wondered if we couldn't have uh more at our libraries or something.

1:03:13Gotta realize that we have a hundred and thirty thousand sixty five and older seniors, and we've only done about thirty seven, thirty

1:03:20eight thousand. Right. I'm not saying that we need uh I mean the queue is the queue. I'm just saying some people don't know how to get in the queue.

1:03:26Oh, I understand. And and I hear those same calls. Yes. We didn't We try to through my office we try to help them get through there, get to someone to talk to.

1:03:35And um so lastly, um I got a phone call. Uh from someone who's very interested in the health department building that I guess the health department's uh vacating um off a little road. Are there some county owned properties that are becoming available? And I don't see Eric here. Oh he's here. Oh there. Okay. I can't see you. Um Well uh are we is it possible for uh someone to purchase that? It's a it's a charter school that's right nearby.

1:04:05They're very interested in it.

1:04:07Once we close and the health department is ready to move, then we will begin the real estate actions on their two current properties. Okay. We're working with the city on the one that's in downtown New Port Richey but The one that's on Little Road. we'll go through the real estate process.

1:04:21Okay.

1:04:22That is outlined in code and statute. And anybody that you know that wants sick can Submit a bit.

1:04:30Okay, any idea on the timeline for that? Approximately.

1:04:34We are I think we're still trying to clean up some of the some of the language around the covenant of the building that that we're buying.

1:04:40Did you say a year? Is that what I heard?

1:04:43No.

1:04:44I can't see Eric.

1:04:47Commissioner Eric Breitenbach, Assistant County Administrator, uh Internal Services. I I based on the the transactions that need to take place and then the move. For the health department. I'd estimate we're at least a year out before we are able to uh begin that real estate process.

1:05:01And where are they going again?

1:05:04So building off of fifty

1:05:05two. I don't remember the exact address. I can get you that information. But we can get you we can get that to you. Yeah.

1:05:13Okay.

1:05:13And what about the health department of downtown New Port Richey?

1:05:16So they will co locate. They will move out of there as well. And we are working with the city on that building.

1:05:21Okay. All right. I think that's um it for me. Thank

1:05:24you.

1:05:25Ms.

1:05:25Fitzpatrick.

1:05:26Um, I would like to say I went up to the human trafficking event, light up the night, and it was a great turnout. So continuously raising awareness for that. Um of course the Bucks had a great game and I was yelling at my TV all night. And One of the other things I wanted to mention is we are looking to build a special needs playground. So I am looking for any public input. um any public input is gonna be appreciated for the West Side of the County special needs playground. Um lastly with everything going on

1:05:58And everything that's been tr been transpiring. I would like to know if we can show respect for our military and our armed forces. I would like to make a motion to have the six armed force flags displayed at the dais to help show respect and honor our military, our current veterans. And their families.

1:06:24I'm fine with that. What flag is that?

1:06:26I like to for everything that they've done, if we can just put maybe three on one side and three on the other, whatever the legal statue is with the American flag and the state flag.

1:06:37So we can honor our veterans and everything that they've done for us.

1:06:42Is that is that one flag I'm trying to understand, is that one flag or is it

1:06:45there's six

1:06:46armed forces. There'd

1:06:47be one for each there'd be one for each service. Okay. We'll

1:06:51look into it. So and see if um about it obtaining them and and putting them in the right position or right place. Doesn't take away from the building, but

1:07:04We'll let facilities look at investigate how we would.

1:07:06And that's what I say we get rid of Eric and we'll get something worked out on that. Okay,

1:07:10thank you.

1:07:11Okay. And that's it. That's it? All right. Mr.

1:07:14Mariano. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Sorry I couldn't join you all today. I had uh back surgery last week and it's been a little bit longer recovery than expected. So uh thanks for uh allowing COVID to happen. Or hybrid. Um just a couple of things. Um Uh Commissioner Starkey and Commissioner Oakley, I think you guys are right. We we have a problem with our seniors trying to get into getting a number. Um, whether it be a phone call or computer, computer is definitely tough. But even trying to get every

1:07:44single weekend to try to get in has been very difficult. Uh I wouldn't mind with looking at setting up a better s we'll say a system that would allow People to get in even if you're gonna be number one hundred and thirty-five thousand as opposed to not getting in the system, at least they'll know when they're gonna what their number is and when they may get a shot. It may be better than just having every single weekend for the frustration where you get family members four and five people trying to get, you know, grandma grandpa a sh uh, you know, a an appointment. So we could take another

1:08:15look at that. I know I brought brought this up a while ago, but I think it's still a big issue and I'm glad you guys are hearing it too. Um and I want to ask uh Commissioner Starkey your sentiments about about uh day spring academy as far as the um Uh they've got a facility that they're building, they've been expanding all all around. I think it would they would be a good benefit. So if we can take a look at that uh administrative bowels and uh just have make sure they get in consideration, I think it might be a good thing for us as they are providing education for the students. Uh full disclosure,

1:08:45I used to be on the board there, my wife works there, but I think it's uh something worthwhile. Uh and uh and Yeah, that are um You have one opening on the Rest actually we have two openings on the Restore Act Committee. Uh one is a citizens slot and what is gonna be a more professional slot. Uh Nick Mudry's been um he's been living at Gulf Woodlands for a while. He's got experience with dredging over McDill. Uh I'd like to nominate Nick Mudry for the Restrike Committee citizens at large position.

1:09:21But

1:09:21was your was that a question?

1:09:22No, it's a it's a publicated

1:09:25Ex

1:09:25Madrid or the citizens.

1:09:28Who?

1:09:28Nick Mudry for the citizen seat for Restore.

1:09:32Progression. Well we're just finding out about the vacancy, so why don't we see 'cause I I have someone who might be interested as well. I don't not I don't know Nick Madri. It could be good or bad, but Do you mind if we um Put it out to the commissioners to see if there's other, you know, a list of people and then pick from there.

1:09:54Okay. I'd like to make I'd like to make sure we make the decision by let's say the next meeting. So if any of any other any anyone else has got someone out there, then let's bring them all in together. Um Well we're professional funding. Uh the professional I think is um if you're in the uh seafood business or or some uh other professional group. I'll I'll get to the title exactly, but it's just more professional tone.

1:10:19Okay. Okay. And that's repeat that repeat that one more time. Medicine's advisory for restore, is that what it is? Yeah, for

1:10:26Restore Act Committee.

1:10:27Correct.

1:10:28Yeah. Okay. I thought I I just I just lost it for a second. Sorry.

1:10:31No, we just we just had a meeting the other day. It went real well. We've got a big meeting coming up April first. So I want to try to get everybody in position ahead of time. I was speaking away from this, getting away for other resumes.

1:10:42Um, if you don't mind, Jack, um if the administrator could send everybody a list of who's currently on the restore committee and maybe where where they live and who they repres what what they represent because there's some you know certain slots that have to be filled. That way everyone knows who's on there.

1:11:00And then we'll look at that and then we're next meeting we'll bring it up and and uh set that.

1:11:04Sounds good. Okay. Thank you. That's all I have.