National Procurement Month and Florida Bicycle Month resolutions

50:23Now it's time for resolutions. Madam Clerk.

50:27Alrighty. We have a resolution for the National Procurement Month. Would you please like to step forward?

50:34Procurement team.

50:49Alrighty, resolution number twenty six dash one two eight. A resolution by the Board of County Commissioners of Pasco County, Florida, declaring the 1 March 2026 as National Procurement Month in Pasco County. Whereas the public procurement profession plays a pivotal role in the efficiency and effectiveness of both government and business, and whereas, in addition to the purchase of goods and services, procurement adds value to the organization by performing functions such as

51:19executing, implementing, and administering contracts, developing procurement strategies, and cultivating Working relationships with suppliers and other departments within Pasco County. And whereas public procurement professionals at the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners and in other public and private organizations have tremendous influence on the economic conditions in the United States with billions of dollars of accumulative purchasing power, and whereas the purchasing

51:49department That the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners is committed to providing high-caliber strategic, logistical, and operational support for all departments within Pasco County. And whereas in 2025, the purchasing department at the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners received the Achievement of Excellent in Procurement Award from the National Procurement and State. And achieved a new milestone by achieving 50% of all eligible

52:19professional staff members holding a national certification. And whereas the purchasing department at the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners recognizes, supports, and practices the public procurement values and guiding principles of accountability, ethics, impartiality, professional, and professional. Professionalism, service, and transparency established by the Institute for Public Procurement NIGP as fundamental tenants of the public purchasing profession. And

52:49whereas the Institute for Public Procurement has proclaimed the month of March as National Procurement Month to further expand the awareness of the procurement professionals' role to government officials, the public Businesses and corporate leaders. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Board of County Commissioners of Pasco County, Florida, that said board hereby declares the month of March 2026 as National Procurement Month in Pasco County, and it urges all Pasco County citizens

53:20to join in recognizing the role of the procurement professions within business, industry, and government. Done and resolved in regular session with a quorum present and voting this seventeenth day of February, 2026.

53:34We approve.

53:35Second.

53:36All in favor? Aye. Aye. Commissioner Oakley.

53:39Yes, sir. Uh happy to see the group here. Uh thank you for all the good work you do for the county and the citizens of Pasco County 'cause uh you help us get the very best price and make sure that we're doing things the right way. So I certainly appreciate that. And uh again there's no there's no I and team. This whole team works together to really make it happen and We certainly appreciate everything that each and every one of you do. So No one else?

54:09Uh yeah, congratulations and um it's always a pleasure working with you guys. I've had a meeting this morning on ch more changes that are coming, so we're always improving our our uh our system and I mentioned there's might be some changes coming in the legislature that I heard uh this week as well on on some purchasing requirements. But thanks for uh keeping us uh on with the right word. Um out of trouble. Out of jail.

54:39All right. Well thank you guys and I I know you don't have an easy job. We've been through what how many protests in two years? Yes. And I was so oh this never happens and then there's eight. So you guys do a great job and um we always know we get the best thing for the buck because you guys do your due diligence. So thank you. Thank you.

54:58Yes. You know, there's no eye in procurement, but there's pro in there and you guys are certainly becoming more proficient uh especially with the updates you were making. You know, you you all have a very tedious job and uh details are important for both sides of procurement, our customer and on your side to make sure that we are staying in compliance. So thank you for coming here. today. Uh Mr. Karbala or Eric? Either one of you.

55:26Actually I would I would like to chime in and Carrie and all the accolades here that the board has mentioned are are spot on. We have a two billion dollar budget. And uh quite honestly if you all stop doing your work tomorrow that would grind it would grind the organization to the halt. And so you know the fact that you do that and you do it so well it ensures you know transparency and accountability. to the public as we're fiduciaries of taxpayer money. And so just appreciate it. I always tell the new higher classes they're not here to make your life difficult. They're here to make sure that we color within the lines, as I've I've heard some folks say, making

55:57sure we get best pricing or more importantly, best value to the taxpayers. And so I just appreciate everything that you also So thank you. Yeah, Mr. Brainbart.

56:09County Administrator's reading off my play sheet.

56:14Yeah. So I I just echo his comments. Um I work day in and day out with this team and and I don't think uh you would find a more professional group uh around the state. Um even when things are not easy, you know, we always make the the right decisions for uh not only the county departments but also our vendor community and this and cherry touched on it. It's important to be fair on both sides and and I see that impartiality day in and day out with this team and thank you for everything you guys do.

56:44Thank

56:44you. Uh big crowd, go

56:46down and take a picture and we'll stay up here. If you will y'all stay up here because there's quite a few things like

57:01They just get to shop all day long.

57:06I guess

57:07one.

57:16And then everyone who's behind someone just make sure that I you can see me.

57:25We think like a quarter sense would be Ready?

57:44Madam Clerk, R S two.

57:47Alrighty, do I have anyone here for the bicycle month? Please come up to the podium.

58:05We see him.

58:08Alrighty, resolution number twenty-six-one two nine. A resolution by the Board of County Commissioners. Of Pasco County, Florida, declaring March 2026 as Florida Bicycle Month in Pasco County. Whereas National Bicycle Month was established in 1956 by the League of American Bicyclists. The League hoped to Showcased the benefits of cycling to promote individual and community well-being. And whereas in 2024, Florida was named the eighth most bicycle-friendly

58:38state in America by the League of American Bicyclists and ranked in the highest percentile for infrastructure, reflecting a strong statewide commitment to building a safe bicycle structure. And whereas, promoting bicycle safety. Including the use of helmets, proper signaling, and adherence to traffic laws is essential to reducing injuries and fatalities among cyclists. And whereas the recognition of Florida Bicycle Month will raise awareness of bicycling and on timely promote physical

59:09activity and healthy lifestyles by elevating bicycling as a more widely accepted choice of transportation. And whereas Florida Bicycle Month features a number of fitness opportunities for riders of all ages to enjoy throughout the month at various parks and locations throughout Pasco County. And whereas Pasco County residents and visitors engage in bicycling as a viable and environmentally conscious form of transportation and an excellent form of physical activity and

59:39recreation. Whereas Pasco County collaborates with local law enforcement, schools, and advocacy groups to promote bicycle safety and awareness throughout the community. And whereas bicycling benefits all citizens of Pasco County by improving the air quality, reducing traffic congestion and noise, and decreasing the use of finite energy sources. And whereas the Florida Department of Of Transportation and our local agencies have adopted complete streets, goals,

1:00:09and policies to develop a multimodule transportation system to support pedestrians and bicyclists by prioritizing safety, accessibility, and mobility. And whereas the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners encourages all citizens to ride their bicycles to work. park, to the store, to the park, and around their neighborhoods this month. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Board of County Commissioners of Pasco County, Florida, that said board hereby declares the month of

1:00:40March as Florida Bicycle Month in Pasco County and encourages all Pasco County residents to ride their bicycles this month while practicing safe cycling habits. Done and resolved in regular session with a forum present in voting this 17th day of February.

1:01:04We

1:01:04have a motion in the second.

1:01:07All in favor. Aye. Commissioner Starkey. Well, y'all stepped in it now.

1:01:14Um yeah, I wanna I I had to look it up to make sure that we could still get this in in in time. So um uh you know, one of my favorite things is uh making sure that we have a great network of connected trails. It's so there's just so many reasons why it's so good for a community to have to have this mobility, exercise, um kids can get around without getting on the roads, getting hurt. So um just really happy to

1:01:44be sponsoring the the resolution for Nas National Bicycle Month. Um so any of the other commission wanna say

1:01:52yes. Um one I think it's absolutely great that we got we're honoring um this month and it's so important to get out and see our beautiful trail. And I always say a body in motion stays in motion. So like encouraging our parents and our elderly friends to get out and stay moving because once you stop, it's hard to get started again. And it just keeps them healthy and lives their life longer and just being out in nature. We're blessed to have Commissioner Starkey here that's always advocating

1:02:23for our trails and bike paths and things like that. Yeah, so And you look like you're ready for a ride today. Did you did you ride here?

1:02:32No. Uh unfortunately I didn't ride here, but uh um uh F dot always wants you to wear bright colored clothing when you're riding. Yeah. Um so remember to wear your helmet and if you're riding at night, use a uh light uh when you ride at night. Yeah.

1:02:48I certainly appreciate what y'all do in in um bicycle riding, especially on trails is the best place to ride 'em. In the east east part of the county. Uh we have a lot of bicycles on roads and it's very dangerous. A lot of times people wear black clothes and dark clothes and they're hard to see and

1:03:06so now he's in favor of the trail on the east.

1:03:09Well I've always been in favor of trails but

1:03:12Uh

1:03:12seems like everybody likes over in the east side. They like the hills and the curves and things like that. But it makes it very dangerous. When we have accidents every now. But if we could put all bicycles

1:03:32Commissioner Oakley, I want to tell you when we're in Dade City, the girls and I walk your trails. Our lunch break. They're on the Hardy Trail, yes. Yeah. So and they're very nice.

1:03:41So my name's Brian Michaels, I'm head of the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee. We are still looking for some members. I

1:03:48think I'm putting one on today. I

1:03:49um so quite fast. If you have anybody or anybody that's listening wants to uh be part of the team to uh see the future uh for bicycle and pedestrian safety in Pasco County, we'd uh uh you can fill out an application online through the M P O or if any of the commissioners have recommendation for any members, we'd appreciate it uh as we can always look for uh members on our team.

1:04:20Thank you. And I want to say thank you to our valued B PAC members, Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee with the MPO. We're very honored to have them and they are hard workers with the MPO. So I just wanted to approach that. So on behalf of the bicycle pedestrian community, thank you for this Bike Month resolution and for our continued support here in Pasco. County moving us forward. We're especially excited about the kickoff of the active transportation plan, which we brought up last week at our MPO board meeting. This important effort will help identify

1:04:50the infrastructure connections and safety improvements needed to make bike, uh biking, and pedestrian more accessible and safer for residents of all ages and abilities. This resolution and this plan together. uh show Pasco County's commitment to a healthier uh people, safer streets, and stronger communities. And once again, thank you for this honor and a happy bank month.

1:05:13Yes. And board members, bicycle members, thank you for your service. And we'll come down and take a picture with Commissioner Starkey in the middle. I

1:05:20should have warned you.

1:05:23I didn't even wear it today.

1:05:40Okay.

1:05:42I forgot I think you need to be using the middle. I forgot to give you the resolution. I was gonna I was gonna keep it for myself.

1:05:53Are you ready? Three.