Public comment on mask mandates and food vendor ordinance

3:45At this time it is time for public comment. Uh citizens are given an opportunity to comment on any Item coming before the board during this section. The board also takes public comment on Adam's. to be placed on future board agenda, other business under their preview. The COVID due to COVID 19 operations and to safeguard the well-being and safety of our citizens and staff. Today's

4:15public comment will be handled as follows. First, we will take public comment from those who have pre-registered WebEx link for a WebEx link and are currently on queue. After we will read into the record public comments, documents, PowerPoints, videos that have been identified by members of the public to be read out out loud.

4:47played played during the meeting or received and filed. Finally, we will take public comment from those currently signed up at the Cut Keok station. Comments are not to exceed three minutes per person. This new format does not waive the request that when you address the board, comments are not directed personally toward any commissioner or team member, but rather directed at the issues. This provides mutual respect

5:17between board members and the public.

5:22Uh for WebEx and Kios participants, after sharing your name and address for the clerk, the timer will sound and we'll start a countdown. After two minutes, one beep will sound. Letting letting you know that one minute remains. After the time is up, two beeps will sound indicating three minutes are up and you should close your comments. WebEx participants will be disconnected when their time is up and kioks participants

5:53will be asked to step away from the kiosk. Madam Clerk, do we have anyone uh pre restored to speak on Webex.

6:02Um there are six pre-registered speak on WebEx, however, only one has logged in.

6:07Okay.

6:10We'll take that one first.

6:12Okay. Um I have Greg Wegener.

6:17You can um say your name and address for the record.

6:21Greg Wagoner with Coastal Design Consultants, 7026 Little Road, Newport Ritchie, Florida. I really had only signed up to answer any questions if there was a question in regards to a uh item on the consent agenda.

6:36Oh we have on WebEx?

6:38Okay. So is anyone um or do you have any emails to be read into the record?

6:45I do have three emails to be read into the record.

6:47Okay.

6:54The first email I have

6:58Your address is [address removed]. Hi, my name is Stephanie. I write to you today with the growing concern of a citizen. I wanted to personally point out the fact that I am using the excuse that I'm religiously exempt from wearing a mask. Please review the Civil Rights Law enacted in 1964. According to the Civil Rights Act law from 1984, it states that a business is not able to discriminate based on religious belief or race. It also states that the business

7:28is obligated to serve a customer under these terms. Also, what about HIPAA law? What businesses are not allowed to discriminate? That businesses are not allowed to discriminate based on health disabilities. I need to understand why Sprouts, the Sally's specifically, that stated their businesses are private property, and due to this, we have to follow their store policies. I had no idea that a business could act as their own country and disregard the laws of this land. as they are not acting privately when they are open

7:58to uh when they are open to the public. They still are required to honor the laws set forth Now my family practices a healthy lifestyle as well as uses home remedies to keep us healthy. I assure you we are not reckless and take anyone's lives around us into consideration. Businesses should not be con should not be allowed to enforce these masks into onto people that are advising the stores that they are healthy, that they are health or religiously exempt, as this is discrimination. This is an

8:28overreach of power. You took a step in the right direction by upholding the Constitution and the people's rights to it when the mask mandate was lifted. And for that, my family is great greatly appreciative. It is time these businesses realize that they are still required to follow the law and that they are not above the law. Last, the people of Pasco County still would like to be able to meet with you in the same building. Having a separate building to speak to you makes no sense whatsoever. You do not go to a store to shop. Do you not go to a store to shop?

8:58Are you completely secluded so that no one with COVID can be around you? I thought six feet of distance. Definitely not close to us behind the glass in front of you at the meetings. Please consider this. Why do you make it seem as though you you need more protection? I apologize as I am confused by this action. Also, why is the time frame for the meeting at ten AM? Why not make the meetings at night? Those people work during the day. This almost seems to be done on purpose in order to keep the public concerns.

9:30I hope you take a look into all the things I have questioned here. I hope you are still for the people. Uh Stephanie Ramirez.

9:43Second email is from Natalie Cronin, address is [address removed]. Hello, Commissioners. First, I would like to express my appreciation for ending the mask mandate. This is a vital step in returning to life as we used to know and enjoy it and makes us feel heard. A good and vital next step is attending the meetings in person instead of having to talk into a kiosk. County

10:13employees and others are allowed into the room, and they are not inherently cleaner or safer than ordinary everyday constituents. and I'm willing to bet that they do not live sterile and isolated lives outside of the workplace. This is therefore highly pointless security theater. And if I am to attend a the theatrical production, I would like it to be at Ritchie's Sun Coast Theater with a delicious cocktail in hand. County employees are not a separate class of people, and this double standard

10:43brings to mind the phrase separate but equal. There is also the matter of a representative government putting additional barriers and distance between itself and its constituents that goes beyond the mere symbolic speaking into a kiosk and watching others walk by us into the room is frankly an insult and calls to mind the situation in our nation's capital, where they are so far removed from we the people that they aren't represented at all by any normal meaning of. Also having these meetings and public

11:14comment at the time when many people are working makes many feel you all maybe don't want to see us. City Council meetings are held after standard work hours and council members work regular jobs before holding meetings. I see no reason why these meetings shouldn't be run similarly. And public comment. Thank you, Natalie Cronin.

11:34The third and final email is from Step Stephanie de Pascoelle. Uh two uh address is [address removed]. Dear Pasco County Commissioners, I am writing to you as a very concerned resident of Pasco County in regards to lifting the mask mandate. What are you thinking? Better yet, what are you not thinking? I will tell you all that I will not stop or will not step foot in any count public sorry, I'm gonna try it again. I will not step foot in

12:04any Pasco County business establishment from this day forward. I will shop in Pinellas County Attorney. COVID nineteen pandemic is not over, not by a long shot, and you are sending a wrong and misleading and clear message to the public to let their guard down and be reckless and risk lives. The president wanted us to wear masks for a hundred days. The C D C is still telling us to wear masks. I'm disappointed in this decision you have made for Pasco County. I have received the vaccine, but I continue to follow all COVID guidelines and will continue to do so. This

12:35lifting of the mask mandate is wrong is a wrong thing to do for the residents of Pasco as well as the visitors from other areas. Please reconsider this. Thank you, Susan de Pascoal. Those are the emails.

12:46So that's all we have on those. Um

12:50Okay.

12:50Anyone show up on the WebEx that was not there or

12:56I um believe that they would answer that. At the at the Kia oh anybody else? Oh on LedX, I'm sorry.

13:03I didn't know if anyone else showed up that were late signing on. So give them the opportunity to speak.

13:11I do not see anyone else.

13:13Okay.

13:13Thank you.

13:13Is there anyone at the kiosks to speak today?

13:18There's nobody at the kiosk in Dade City.

13:21All right, thank you.

13:22You also have the New Port Riche kiosk operating today. So there is

13:27no one

13:28at the kiosk,

13:29New Port