Public comment on county issues and requests
What the county recorded
This item is not from the published agenda
It is a stretch of the recording that this archive identified as a separate matter — a call to order, a recess, or something taken up that the agenda does not list. There is no official title, no staff recommendation and no disposition, because the county never recorded one. Everything below is inferred.
The source document
The county’s agenda for Board of County Commissioners, Oct 25, 2022
The published PDF, as served by the county. This item is one entry in it.
The county’s minutes for Board of County Commissioners, Oct 25, 2022
The published PDF, as served by the county. This item is one entry in it.
What was said
Machine transcription of 30m of recording, with speaker names inferred from voice matching. 62% of 132 lines carry a name. It shows what was said, not what was decided, and both the words and the names can be wrong.
Now's 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 have pre-registered for a WebEx link and are currently on queue. We request that when you address the board, comments are not directed personally
against a commissioner or a 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 three minute timer Will be activated. After two minutes, a single beep will indicate you have one minute left. When your time is up, two beeps will sound and you should close your comments. WebEx participants will be disconnected automatically when their time is up. And Madam Clerk, do we have people signed up?
Yes we do, Madam Chair. We have Brian Miller, followed by David Crosby, followed by Christy Joe Dockery. Mr. Miller. Good morning.
Good morning. Thank you. Brian Miller, uh on street media in Florida, in uh in Orlando, I'm sorry. Um I've met with several of you over the past few years, I guess going back about three years. My company provides the sponsorship messaging at the traffic signal control cabinet at the right-of-way. Um Over the past few years, I believe I've had some widespread support amongst the this board as well as staff. Uh however, a few months ago we ran into a roadblock. In uh in June, I believe the this board changed the land ordinance code, which
would prohibit um our plans of placing the sponsorship messaging. So I'm here today to request this board um uh of two things. If there's still interest to uh direct staff to work with us. In one uh changing the land ordinance code, it would be a very simple one clause change to that, and two direct staff to uh work with us to proceed to contract. Uh and that's all I'd I've got to say. So thank you.
All right,
thank you very much, Mr. Crosby. David Crosby?
Ooh. That's a famous name.
Cosmistels in Ash. Yeah. Yeah, yes sir.
Did we have a celebrity here?
Is this Mr. Crosby? Okay. Um and someone will help him with the mic.
Eric we have a a hand mic. Okay. We'll get him a hand mic.
Okay.
Have
any more?
Um
that's your
I I am a new stu wait, what I
I don't think she's my first time. Come. Hi, my name is David Crosby. I am a new student at Wendellcrine Technical High School. In the transition education program this year. I graduated from Hudson High School last year. I was looking forward to learning how to use the Go Pass Go Transit buses at my new school. But it is very hard and scary with
the sidewalks not having. Curb cutouts and very thick grass that I can't get my wheelchair through. I almost went over face first and my teachers had to catch me. My teacher, Miss Docker, took pictures of The sidewalks and corners without curb cutouts. I am asking for a sidewalk from Lemon
Road to Season Lane on Orchid Lake Road or curb cutouts on each corner of Orchid Lake Road. to Regency Park Boulevard so I can get to and from Route 25 bus stop and My school with my class, my teacher has been driving us to and from our job
training site at Regency Residence.
Three times a week because I cannot get my wheelchair up and down the corners by myself. Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
Well we will absolutely jump on that. So I see staff writing stuff down there and And Bradford will meet with you in the back there. So Thank you for coming and letting us know about this.
You Auckland.
And good luck at Wendell Cree.
I'm Christy Joe Dockery. I'm his teacher. And we have some of my students here with us. This is a learning experience for all us. We don't even know if we're at the right meeting, but we No you are. We figured we would give it a shot.
It'll work here.
We're really working on self advocacy. I'm very proud of it. That's great.
Yep. Move to someone make a motion?
Motion was freedom file.
Second.
All in favor? Aye. Aye. Aye. Um what is what are you studying at Wendell Crane?
I do
I do set the table at my job training site. I do Seth and caddies. Eric,
go ahead and give the mic.
This
is a transition education program. You already graduated from Hudson Hudson. Yeah. So it's for employability skills and independent living.
Okay, just make sure you know about our AM skills program because we we have Nope, nope, we've got our own building now. It's not open yet. But um just go online and take a look and uh we're we're getting our own building on uh Darlington and nineteen. But we have programs for like for this gentleman. Great. So and your crew. So
I also set tables. Cl wa I clean the tables, wipe them down. Oh. I I also do
I know this is my first time. I also fill up the Sugar caddies. I hope fill up the waters.
I hope that's a good idea.
Same time. Training center.
Okay.
Yes. Absolutely. Thank you. Very
thanks for coming
out.
we have next we have Christy Joe Dockery followed okay, thank you. Uh Richard uh Ballock? Colin Thompson, Anthony Homer. Richard Bollock. Did I pronounce that correctly?
Lela.
Laylack. Sorry.
Well first of all thanks for the opportunity to uh come and address and I don't know that I've ever talked to anything in in three minutes, so my staff would attest to that. But actually what I want to say is we stand here today committed as we did about five to six years ago to make the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus the most successful asset to Pasco County that it can be uh through events, through uh everything that we do. Even to the point that my address is 31277 Mango
Faye Way in San Antonio that I have moved my permanent residence to Pasco County. We also have second mortgages on property and everything to make sure that this thing is a total positive asset. The staff that we've assembled not only is is able to coach to their sport But each one of them have extending event capabilities to reach internationally and nationally to the point that our Chair Director has been able to bring in Team USA, Team Barcelona, Team Canada, as
well as Team Ecuador. We're also talking to Norway, Finland, and Australia to come back. Our basketball director has ties in North Carolina, West Virginia to be able to help bring in different events there. Our soccer director with the ATU Barcelona national team. So not only do our our staff that we have assembled can can handle the local programming but also assist in the event organization.
We also have currently uh recently hired a GM and we know that we take a look at backing up and understanding where our gaps and weaknesses are. And basically we understand that there's some gaps and weaknesses to be able to communicate with hoteliers to do a better job and that type of stuff and our GM that we just that we just hired has zero sports um uh expertise and all expertise as a former general manager uh of opening and cl uh hotels and be able to better that communication.
So so again we stand here today uh to be able to say that we are committed. to make sure that this asset for Pasco County is positive. We also are hoping that and understand that contracts, especially coming out of COVID, always need to be looked at and addressed and changes to be made and we're willing and hopeful to where we can get to a table to be able to address those with an open mind uh and ask that you know we we have the same on both sides of the table.
We look forward to being able to Address any issues that this commission or body or staff may have to move forward. to be able to make the Wiregrass Ranch Pasco County. Um sports campus. A positive asset that you guys look for. um and what we need to do by the uh investment that you made in that property. Thank you for uh your time and consideration and we look forward to moving forward uh in making this a
positive move. Thank you.
Thank you very much.
Name and address.
Good morning. Uh Colin Thompson of the law firm Bartlett Loeb Hines and Thompson, 100 North Tampa Street, Tampa, Florida, suite 2050. Thank you. Good morning, Madam Chairwoman, members of the commission. I represent Rad Sports, who operates the sports campus down here with Mr. Blaylock. And Mr. Homer, who will speak next. As Mr. Blaylock just stated to this body, and Mr. Homer will as well, and as they
have done over the past five years, as they've been getting this project up and running, they are committed to this community, committed to the sports ranch at Wiregrass. They are committed to making it the success it has been, and continuing to make it a success over the remaining uh over 18-year term that is left on this uh on on the contract that this uh body agreed to approximately five years ago uh when they turned over the uh management and responsibilities of
the sports campus to the the private enterprise.
That is their commitment to make this the premier sports facility in the country. My commitment is to protecting their interests and their assets as well. We have, I first got involved in this a little over a year ago when it became a situation where there was some Some disputes regarding the operation. These disputes started off innocently enough with issues regarding naming
rights, whether it was the Rad Sports that had the right to sell the naming rights or the Commission. Quickly that was resolved by just looking to the contract. We then had a dispute regarding the commencement date that the county was stating that there were issues regarding the Regarding the commencement date that they had an interpretation of that was untenable and not called for under the contract. That quickly morphed into issues regarding who gets to operate the fields and when that, and the county wanted to take back fields. That quickly resolved
and went away. And all of a sudden, it morphed into an issue about local versus national and outside the county visitors to the complex. Mr. Blaylock in response provided once we learned about this agenda item, this is on the consent agenda. Consent agenda today 23-3501. No discussion, no nothing. Just asking this court to consent or this body to consent to issuing what is nothing less than a notice of termination, a 30-day
termination of this contract. Now, in response, Mr. Blaylock provided data and facts to show that there is no default. We would like to talk to this body and the staff and make sure that there is no issue as to default. In response to Mr. Blaylock's letter, Mr. Goldstein, Attorney Goldstein, sent back saying, Don't worry about this. This is you get to talk, and we'll we'll talk for 30 days and you can show us that there is no default. If there is any question, whether there is a default, this body should not vote to send the termination
letter. Sending the termination letter is the wrong message at this time. It takes away the ability negotiate. It is a termination letter, and we will be forced into a situation where we have to file and and move on uh uh to to litigation. This body should not approve the termination of the agreement on this consent agenda, but should move it over and should not approve to commit funds for protracted and expensive litigation. Thank you.
Um Anthony Homer, followed by Hugh Townsend.
Followed by Sam. Sani? I don't I'm sorry, I don't know. Go ahead.
Well, I'm Anthony Homer. I'm the easy one. So Anthony Homer with Rod Sports 1875 Goldenrod Street, Sarasota, Florida. Um good morning. Uh let me tell you, we were we were pretty shocked and blindsided to find out that this this drastic change to our relationship with the county of Pasco was on the consent agenda. We weren't notified of this ahead of time. It's a good thing we did a search of the consent agenda that looks for things that are related to rad sports. So um and especially when we ran it by our attorney to find out that this
is essentially Not a discussion, that it is a termination asking us to vacate in 30 days because we won't have the opportunity to cure. Having said that, we have a long-term relationship with Pasco County. We've got long relationships with many of you here on the Dais. And uh it's been changing, we've been through a lot. We have a contract that probably could use some modification. We would love to come to the table. We have said that repeatedly in every communication with the county. We're happy to work things out. It has to be mutually beneficial.
Well, like every relationship, if you've if you've been in one long enough, we know what happens when you focus on facts, not feelings. There's two sides to every story. Everybody has facts that supports their side of the story. Um, you know, we we've got an 84% success rate with events coming back. They love to come back, they love this place. We got 79,000 visits in 21, 59,000 visits in 22. We think we're doing a good job for Pasco County. But we don't want to get bogged down in the facts. We get it. Our partner feels like
something needs to change. We are totally willing to come to the table and have that discussion. We want to work with you guys. So what's important for us is we get that opportunity. Now our attorney is telling us This is one thing. They're telling us this is essentially a termination, it's a notice of vacate. And they're telling us they have the funds to do this, to carry this out, and it doesn't even have to come back to the commission. We've spoke with a couple of commissioners. Our understanding is different. You've told us that this is not the case. You have
told us that this is a chance to negotiate. So We're gonna go forward in good faith. We're going to trust you guys. We trusted you in the past. We trusted you when uh construction costs blew out of proportion and we didn't have enough budget. We worked out how to get it done. We worked together. We've been working together in the past. We worked through COVID with a temporary CO. So I think we've proven that we have the ability to work with you all and to be flexible. What we're asking for In return for this trust is the good faith that
we aren't being blindsided. It is not indeed a termination. and that we are going to have the opportunity to move forward in good faith. Um, like any relationship, we want to avoid that divorce. It's gonna get expensive and nasty. Nobody wants that. So what we're asking for is this item to be either removed today for discussion. or at least taken off the consent agenda for discussion. Our preference is that this is removed and tabled and that we have an opportunity to meet with either you one-on-one or with staff. I appreciate
your time. That's what we're asking for.
Thank you.
Mr. Townsend, do you have two different items?
They actually involve the same issue.
Okay,
yeah. If I can present, I think I can tie them together.
Name and address.
Good morning, Commissioner. Hugh Townsend. Uh President of Hunters Ridge Homeowner Association, [address removed]. I rise to speak in what I believe is your agenda item number 70. and M STU specifically for paving here in Pasco. It is my understanding of the 67 counties, a handful, possibly less than five. still do it the way that we are doing right now. I want to see that corrected.
I want an MSTU established so that people are not struck by a sudden bill. And an example of that is El Sol Court. Four families have access to El Sol Court. They came to do a repaving assessment of $6,000 per family. Shocking in this economic times. We had one family in favor, one family against, and because it was a fifty-fifty vote. All families are being assessed.
I've got letters I'd like to present for the Saintes and for the Marvins. And interestingly, the Marvins were the ones in favor. Um Now, yeah. As an aside We were heard uh Planning and we were also heard by the County Commission, which was adjourned until your 20th September meeting, but none of the four families received a notice. of it being on the agenda for that meeting. Ergo, none of them could
The families feel that it's draconian to be assessed a bill of that high a nature That is why I am in favor of an MSTU. which will take a little bit of extra money out of every property owner and then this whole sudden shock issue would not come up Against the people here in Pasco. And as I'm sure you're aware, you read it, it does not pertain to privately owned roads in gated communities. These are the communities, the HOAs that the Council
of Neighborhood Associations represent. that the homeowners are struggling to pay their bills now and can receive A high
Still
have another minute if you want to keep going.
Okay.
Okay. Okay. If um, Ms.
Schmidt is gonna grab the
she
had
all favor? My my apologies. I had spinal surgery and uh I'm not as mobile as I was. Getting back back to the issue, the MSTU is the fairest, most reasonable way in a modern society to maintain the roads. One family in particular that had just moved down from New York. didn't even have a clue that you could be assessed for a paving Uh repair or new paving because Coming from the Northeast, those were all rolled into our taxes. The MSTU like
we pay for a a street light, like we pay for a tipping fee. Is a reasonable way for the county to maintain the roads, especially with all the new population that is coming in. So again, I am in favor. Of the MSTU.
Thank you very much. And I I did speak with Hugh about this this week. Um And uh I haven't had time to research what happened on that. Uh but we voted to approve that. that la last time. I just need to check with Ainsley if Mrs. This is perfect.
Telling you, I think. Would they be included
in this new MSTU or would we see still assessed? There's a public hearing this afternoon
on this item. But I appreciate your support for that.
Yeah.
And I'll get back to you on the other. Angie Angie will be here this afternoon. I don't think he's here this morning.
Okay, next. Um Sam, I think it's Sani, S A I N I.
Oh okay, so you were here with Mr Townsend on the same subject?
Okay. Um Pastor Troy Peterson.
Receive the file. Can we receive the file?
Second.
Second. All
in favor? Aye. Opposed? Thank you.
Pastor Troy Peterson, [address removed]. Uh once again I'm here. Um I would like to make a motion. to a point Somebody cares pastors. to lead in the invocation. To think that we've been entrusted Uh to lead in the invocation to do the
National Day of Prayer. right outside this building for twenty years. It's quite an honor. I believe we can handle the Kish Commissioner's meeting as as well. Um
I was praying this morning and with Pastor Leonard and Pastor Jerry, and the Lord gave me a scripture. uh out of Psalms nineteen starting in verse seven. The law of the Lord is the perfect covering
Testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statues of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart. The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever. The judgments of the Lord are true and the r and the righteous altogether. And in Psalms one Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scornful, but his delight is in the law. Of the Lord, and in the law of the Lord he meditates on it day and night. He shall be made like a true tree planted in the rivers of water that brings forth fruit in its season season, whose leaves also shall sh shall not wither, and whether he does, he sh whatever he does. says shall prosper, the ungodly are not so, but are like a chaff
which the wind drives away. And so what we've noticed since we've been coming into the uh city of Port Ritchie for years, encouraging them to pray in Jesus' name. What happened is they denied that for a season, and then all of a sudden the mayor goes to jail, the vice mayor is gone, the city manager is gone. We got a whole new everything in the city of Port Ritchie. Now they're allowing us to come in
and pray in Jesus' name, okay, because we do what we're asking is not that anybody come in and pray and pray in the invocation, but that we lead it. And because They're allowing us to do this in Port Ritchie. Now we have five events a year that's sponsored with the church. And the city of Port Ritchie. The next one being the fall festival, October 29th. Uh the the uh police department will be there handing out the candy,
the fire department will be there. And so we just want an opportunity to come in and pray and to work alongside our commissioners. Thank you for the time.
Thank you. Madam Chair, that's all I'd have signed up. Anyone online? Um there is was one person signed up
but they are not logged in. Is there anyone else here who wishes to speak to the Board of County Commissioners this morning?
Come on up to the mic. Uh name and address for the record please.
Madam Chairman real quick. And I appreciate and I appreciate Pastor Troy you coming every time. I think one thing you need to remember because we usually don't respond is that you mentioned about, you know, coming here and and leading the National Day of Prayer on this side of the county, which is greatly appreciated. And um I myself and Commissioner Oakley always participated on the one of the west side. But we also have tw we e east side, sorry. I don't know where I am today. Um but we also have twenty churches that participate in that over there too. So I mean to pick and choose on how we have we have members here that product
um you know practice Judaism as well, you know. So I mean to Pick and choose, you know, out of you know the thirty or forty, you know, churches that participate in number of events here, I think it's just tough. I mean, you know, that's just me. I mean it just to pick one group, which I again I appreciate it, but you're allowed as always and we say this, you're allowed to come up here and and pray and pray for us and pray for the obviously the constituents and the and the members in the audience anytime you want. You're very welcome to do that and we appreciate that. But I think
just for us to just to pick one church when we have so many churches that participate and are involved with a county, um, would just it's going down a slippery slope. That's just my opinion.
Yes. And uh name Natash for the record, please. Hi, my name is Maria Thomas and I live at [address removed]. And um I'm here on the same subject that Mr. Hugh Townsend presented about the repaving of El Sol Court. I am um the family, the fourth family who moved in. Um it's been roughly about a year now. And um I'm asking that the this whole project of the repaving doesn't move forward. At the
time when we first received the notice, I had just moved here, it had maybe been roughly a month. And I wasn't, you know, aware that, you know, exactly what that letter meant. I mean, I was still unpacking boxes, you know, living out of boxes, very different here, you know, than where I came from in New York. And I wasn't aware that um moving forward, if this was passed, um How much you know monetarily this
would cost, and that if you aren't able to pay it, then things happen like a lien could be placed on your house because I'm not in a financial financial position right now where I am able to pay that. But aside from that, um There was a hearing, we came to it, we showed up, and then they said they tabled it and we were going to hear again and no one was notified of that last hearing, so we weren't able to come and speak on our behalf. And um
Also, it was the issue that the neighbors had for several years that you know the The the El Sol Court had many potholes, but since then the potholes had been repaired. So the street is now fine, so there's really no reason to repave it and for these four families to be put in this situation. So I'm just kindly asking the court if they could please reconsider moving forward with the repaving of El Sol Court.
So um that's already passed, um but I'm gonna come meet with you and explain to you Uh How after this afternoon, how I think things will move forward and I I think you'll be okay. But I'll come meet with all of you.
All
right,
thank you. I appreciate you. Thank you very much. Thank you.
Okay. Anyone else? Okay, um we will now uh end the um public comment and move on to the consent agenda.