resolutions for hospice month, Joe Richards, firefighter hero

41:49This concludes our public comment. Now's the time for resolutions. Madam Clerk.

42:00If um you are here for National Hospice and Palliative Care Month. Thank you. Please step to the podium.

42:12Good morning. Good morning. I'm Linda Ward. I'm the President and CEO of Gulf Site Healthcare Services. And we have been serving Pasco County exclusively with hospice and palliative care for 35 years. Today we serve over a thousand patients daily in Pasco County, and I just want to thank the County Commissioners for all your support. We're very excited that uh we have our care center in Zephyrhills and we are purchasing Land to build our second care center in Newport Ritchie, which the county has the commissioners have approved and

42:42issued a bond for that tax exempt funding. So thank you so much. I've got uh invitations for our groundbreaking ceremony. I hope you can join us on December eighth, and I want to thank you for all your support for hospice care in Pasco County.

42:54Well, thank you, Linda. And we're going to read the resolution, then we'll uh do a picture and we'll take a few more comments. Thanks.

43:00Resolution number 24 024, resolution by the Board of County Commissioners of Pasco County, Florida, declaring the month of November as National Hospice and Palliative Care Month and commending Gulfside Health Care Services for its outstanding service and dedication to the citizens of Pasco County. Whereas hospice and palliative care provide the highest quality of care to patients and families and bring comfort, love, and respect for all those they serve in community. Across the nation and here in Pasco County. And RAS Hospice Hospice and Palliative Care Providers take the

43:30time to ask what's important to those they are caring for and listen to what their patients and families say. And RAS Hospice and Palliative Care Professionals include including physicians, nurses, social workers, therapists, counselors, health aides, and clergy provide comprehensive and compassionate care that makes the wishes of each patient and family a priority. And whereas through pain management and symptom control, caregiver training and assistance and emotional and spiritual support, patients can live fully until their final

44:00moments, surrounded and supported by the faces they loved of the loved ones, friends, and committed caregivers. And RAS providing quality hospice and palliative care reaffirms our belief in the essential dignity of every person, regardless of age, health, or social status, and that every stage of human life deserves to be treated with the utmost respect and care. And Raz. Uh every year more than one point seven two million Americans living the life living with life limiting illnesses and their

44:30families receive care from the nation's hospit from the nation's hospice programs in communities throughout the United States with three thousand six hundred and eighty-three patients cared for by Hospice Gulf Side Hospice in Pasco County. And res more than 468,000 trained volunteers contributed 22 million hours of service to hospice programs annually, with 7,287 and 50.57 hours of service being provided locally by Gulfside volunteers

45:00so far this year. And RAS Hospice and Palliative Care Providers encourage all people to learn more about options of care and to share their wishes with family, loved ones, and their health care professionals. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Board of County Commissioners of Pasco County, Florida, that said board hereby declares the month of November as National Hospice and Palliative Care Month in Pasco County and commends Gulfside Health Care Services for its outstanding. Service and dedication to the citizens of Pasco County, done and resolved in a regular session

45:31with a quorum present and voting this fourteenth day of November 2023.

45:35No approval.

45:37Okay.

45:37Yeah, so I see Mr Commissioner Bradford's on the line, so let's do a roll call vote.

45:42District One, Commissioner Oakley. Aye. District two, Commissioner Weightman. Aye. District three, Commissioner Starkey. Aye. District four, Commissioner Bradford. Aye.

45:52District 5, Chairman Mariano.

45:54Aye. All right. Okay. Well,

45:57Commissioner Oakley? Yes, sir. Um, I'm glad to present this resolution to you today. Um Uh I hate to say it but I hear more of the Gulf Side Hospice name more and more for all the care you give to our citizens. Um those that are going those families are going through issues with their family members and all. You've done a wonderful job here in Pasco and I certainly appreciate everything that you do for our citizens here in Pasco. and uh continue the

46:27the good works.

46:29Thank you. It's truly an honor to serve the the residents here of Pasco County.

46:33Mr. Starkey?

46:34Well, um as you know my mother in law Marcia Starkey passed away a couple weeks ago and uh she was under the care of Gulf Side and wonderful care and thank you for everything. You're welcome.

46:47Commissioner

46:47Weightman? Make me nervous to talk about this. Uh no. In all seriousness, we're all we haven't had a loved one. We'll be there one day in this we're all impacted by the special work that you do and and to your team and the folks that do this line of work for for their living. We appreciate their passion, their care and their dedication, not just to the patient, but to the families that are uh going through the transition process with them. So thank you. Thank

47:18you for for all you do for us. You're welcome.

47:20Thank

47:20you. Can I

47:21say that?

47:21Yes, Mr. Starkey.

47:22Uh can you speak briefly about your new facility that you're working on?

47:26Sure. Um it is in uh New Port Richey. between Trouble Creek Road and Rancho Del Rio, one block west of Little Road. There's a beautiful plot of land there that we are going to build a 24-bed uh inpatient hospice care center serving West Pasco County. It'll the function will serve um identical to our Zephyrhills uh care center and it's really dedicated to people who have life limiting illness that may um be transitioning

47:56to into a the end stage of life or people on hospice care that are at home, the family needs a little bit of a respite so they can come and stay temporarily. Um or for patients that are um having difficulty with uh pain and symptoms that we could stabilize them and have them go back to their homes to be. So we're very excited about it. We hope to great break break ground very soon.

48:17So uh my mother passed away a year and a half ago and um we elected, you know, we wanted to bring her home to pass away from the hospital. Um and she was also under gulf side care. But if we wanted to go to a facility, we could not have because all the facilities had waiting lists. So there is definitely a need for your New building and

48:43Yeah, we have a we have a six bed unit at the Heather Hill Skilled Nursing Facility, but it's not big enough. And so many of our patients um die in the hospital on uh in a scattered bed as opposed to a hospice care center or in their home. So we're just very proud of the connections that and the partnerships we have with the whole health care spectrum here in Pasco County supporting this. So thank you, Kathy.

49:06Linda you've uh done a phenomenal job since you come here many years ago now.

49:10We have thirty patients in two thousand four. We serve over a thousand and it's not me, it's the team. We have amazing clinicians, doctors, social workers, chaplains and They just love what they do every day. So my job is to support them and help them grow and Do a good job. So thank you.

49:25Well a great leader for the organization. I know and I

49:26know

49:26Roy Mazur and his team are working hard to get you through that permitting process. I know you're almost there.

49:30So you're almost there, just hang

49:32in there.

49:33Thank you. It's been a long twelve months.

49:36Do you have any other members with you?

49:38I yes. I have uh Juliana who's our public relations.

49:41Bring them up and I'll j we'll join you down there for a a picture in front of the dais. Let's go.

51:53I have no I have two

51:57And the next resolution?

51:59That's

52:02I have two. The next resolution. Mr. Joe Richards.

52:06Oh, oh I didn't have some name.

52:11Yeah, this is your

52:27Mr. Richards, I will go ahead and read the resolution. Resolution number twenty-four-zero two five, a resolution by the Board of County Commissioners of Pasco County, Florida, commending Joseph D. Richards on twenty-two years of service to Pasco County. Whereas Joe Richards began his career with the County Attorney's Office as the primary utilities attorney for Pasco County in March of twenty twenty sorry, March of two thousand and one. And REST, during the past 22 years, Joe has been the primary attorney handling all utilities, waters,

52:57and solid waste matters. His contributions had a direct and profound impact upon the face of Pasco County with significant improvements such as the development of new central water and wastewater facilities, construction of reclaimed water reservoirs, and recycling facilities, all while the utilities custom customer More than doubled in size. NRAS Joe worked to preserve the water resources and natural areas of Pasco County by working closely with several agencies such as Tampa Bay Water, Southwest Florida Water Management

53:27District, and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Agency on projects that would secure the county's water resources for future generations. NRAS Joe worked on many ordinances to keep our water and Waterways safe and clean, including but not limited to the Anclock River Speed Ordinance and Emergency Water Ordinance during a drought, the seagrass protection ordinance, overnight mooring of vessels, and derelict dock ordinance, the well-field protection ordinance, and most recently Pet

53:58Waste Management Ordinance, only to name a few. Anne Razjo was the lead attorney over all countries. contracts related to the ongoing expans expansion of the county's solid waste facilities, including working with the University of Florida to create an ash reuse project and negotiating the county negotiating with the county's current Resource Recovery Facility Operator Covanta Pasco Incorporated. build and operate an extended incinerator and RAS Ensuring

54:28compliance with regulatory requirements, Joe overlooked I'm sorry. Joe overlooked all contracts related to the implementation of the county's award winning reclaimed water system expansion, one of the largest beneficial wastewater reuse programs in the country. And Ras, while handling all of this work, Joe also managed to handle any other legal matters thrown his way, not related to utilities, whenever the County Attorney's Office needed his assistance. We will miss his knowledge, work ethic and genuine concern for the well-being of Pasco County

54:58staff, businesses, and residents. Now therefore, be it resolved by the Board of County Commissioners of Pasco County, Florida, that said board hereby congratulates Joe Richards on twenty-two years of service to Pasco County, done and resolved in regular session with a quorum present and voting this 14th day of November 2023.

55:14Move approval.

55:15Okay.

55:15Yeah, roll call vote.

55:18District one, Commissioner Oakley. Aye. District two, Commissioner Weightman. Bye.

55:25Yeah.

55:26District three, Commissioner Starkey. In District Four, Commissioner Bradford.

55:30Oh.

55:32District five, Chairman Mariano.

55:34Okay. Commissioner Oakley. Yeah. Joe, um Twenty two years is not a long time really, so I was in my business fifty one years and I've been here seven. Uh I think you need to put some more time in. And I think Mr. Steinsteiner needs your help, so We got some probably some side work for you. So but you've done a great job and uh we talked this morning on some issues but um really appreciate everything you've done. Uh I

56:05know for a little over six and a half years since I was on Tampa uh water that you've been sitting in the audience many times and just recently, uh I think Ms. Wolf replaced you there but Um I miss seeing you there. I could always pick you out in the crowd. So uh knowing that uh you're supporting and looking at what we're doing for Tampa Bay Water and protecting that resource of water for all of our region, Pineads County, Pasco County and Hillsburg County.

56:35So certainly appreciate your eyesight over that review that we did um we did just that and we're preparing water f for the future. So and is and I think we've all done a good job and you've done a good job uh being there all that time. So all the twenty two years you I'm sure you've done a great job. here for the county and certainly appreciate all that you do. So Commission

57:00Whitman. Commissioner Weightman.

57:03Well we lost didn't we lose another garbage man last meeting and now we're losing another pseudo one this meeting? Uh all serious enjoyed working with you and uh on solid waste issues and my year at Tampa Bay Water Um Congratulations and uh you know we'll see we'll see who's next. So um wish you well. Oh okay.

57:26Mr. Starkey.

57:27Well, Joe, um, I so enjoyed working with you when I was on Tapu Bay Water. Um I you're I think you're the calmest attorney I know.

57:41Always I mean really uh it it was just so um wonderful to work with you and I appreciate all the explaining that you did to me when I uh did for me when I would call and ask questions and um and your support. I'm really sorry to see you leave. I I think you have very good big shoes to fill um and uh just wish you well in your next endeavor. I don't think it's in Florida, right? You're up in North Carolina somewhere or somewhere. That's what I thought about it. South Carolina. South Carolina, yeah.

58:11So

58:12Commissioner Bradford?

58:16Okay, um Joe, you're uh you're leaving uncommon. I'm moving around 10 bucks, but uh I uh wish you well in your

58:27anybody who makes who runs the game and able to go to South Carolina deserves it. So congratulations again and uh I am looking forward to getting back to work guys. Yeah.

58:42We'd be looking forward to having you. Um Joe, you've done a phenomenal job. Commissioner Starkey it's funny you mentioned how calm he is, but he's literally folks, this is the way he is. I don't care how intense it is. Uh you know there's one thing I didn't quite see in there, but uh I know the people at SummerTree really appreciated your help when we had those Water Force Task Force we formed to try to like how do we work against that private utility and the work you did for them, I tell you They greatly, greatly appreciate it. Uh I know all the boaters in Pasco when we had troubles with people building docks

59:12in the middle of canals where people couldn't get the boats out. We had to craft something that uh um you really did some great work. And your expertise has been phenomenal. Your institutionality will definitely be missed. And I don't know how you're gonna replace him, Jeff, but you get some big shoes to get going there. I mean utilities his work was so good utilities grabbed him to to get over there to help out. So what you did was phenomenal. So we greatly appreciate you and we wish you all the best in your career, Commissioner Oakley. Give them a little time to have some fun. Do you want to add anything, Joe?

59:42Yeah. Thank you very much for this honor and uh thank Jeff for his support and guidance over the years. Couldn't have done it without the great team at the County Attorney's Office, including my secretary Linda Rios, who kept me organized and focused. But I have to I have to thank my wife also, my wife Stephanie, she sacrificed and supported me in this move. We left left our home in Miami to take this job and And now it's my turn to return the favor to her. She really wanted to move the South Carolina, live on

1:00:12the marsh and So I really love working for Pasco but I love her a little bit more. That's a good thing. That's

1:00:19a good thing. I think if she's listening today that went a long way, right?

1:00:25Very good.

1:00:26So if you would like to join me down front,

1:00:30I think both of us would like to Um so it's I was gonna go the opposite way that Commissioner Oakley went. I mean it's unusual in this day and age for somebody to stay with a particular client for twenty two years. Um that that shows a lot about your integrity and and your loyalty to to the commission to to Pasco County. Um I had you know,

1:01:00I had similar

1:01:04legal background when I was an assistant county attorney. Um it's not easy to practice water law. It you know, especially here in Pasco County after the water wars. Um and so that's a you know it's a difficult area of law to practice and you should be commended for you know, what you've done for the utility system and and for Pasco County in general. Um, I also don't know a whole lot of lawyers that do reparian rights work

1:01:35and you've filled that gap for the for the county w when dock permits were issued, maybe an error, um and had to you know, had to deal with those those sorts of things. Um the administrator and I were talking about at over on the side about how he nearly got you fired on a couple of occasions by Um asking you to do work off books and not through the protocols

1:02:06of the office, but we all we moved past that. Um and I know I know Mike wants to wants to sing your praises as well, so I'll turn it over to him.

1:02:17Thank you, Jeff. And and Joe, thank you too. Uh you know, you've you've been here since I've started working here at Pasco County. And uh if I had been able to get my hands on that resolution, it would have read uh all that stuff and probably a little bit more. Um but uh I'll publicly apologize for getting you in trouble for pushing uh pushing the limits. Um but thank you. You've always been kind of a a Tom Hagen, if you will, uh to me as we as we we we talk through things. I'll miss our Wednesday lunch meetings and uh I'll finally remember just our time in the trenches working through contracts or

1:02:47deals with Tampa Bay Water, just a number of just utility issues and just personally and professionally. Uh my friend, I wish you the best.

1:02:54Yeah,

1:02:54we're good.

1:02:55Mr. Mari now that I've gotta add something because Uh Tampa Water just celebrated twenty-five years and you've been here twenty-two. So you had a lot to do with the water resource for our citizens here in Pasco plus the region of Hillsborough County and Pineals County, City of Tampa and uh city of Newport, Ritchie and City uh St. Petersburg. So you had a lot to do over the 22 years with uh helping us get through those issues and It's

1:03:25been a success story. So it's worked. It's been one of the best things in the world for this regional water, uh wholesaler of Stamp Bay Water has been great for Pasco County. And I'm I'm sure we all there's nine people that sit on that board and we all support the resource of water for all of our citizens. So it's it's been been great and it's It's been a pleasure having you be a part of that. So thank you. Now would y'all like to join the comprehensive plan?

1:05:04Obviously just pounds.

1:05:10Oh yeah, you didn't know he wasn't.

1:05:16And

1:05:16I'd like to move to the next resolution, R S three.

1:05:20Can Patrick Dudkowicz please come to the podium?

1:05:26And Patrick, do you want to bring up the uh your friends as well?

1:05:32So we got room? Bring 'em up.

1:05:38Got more than two friends, right?

1:05:41Two special ones right there.

1:05:48And your last name is pronounced Dudkowitz?

1:05:51Yeah, Dudkowitz.

1:05:53Dudkowitz?

1:05:54Yeah, same thing.

1:05:55Alright, hold on. Um it's written seven times. So thank you very much whoever wrote this.

1:06:01All right. It's resolution number twenty-four-zero two three, a resolution by the Board of County Commissioners of Pasco County, Florida, commending firefighter paramedic Patrick Dudkowitz. Right? Okay. For his heroic actions and dedication to the community. Whereas Pasco County firefighter paramedic Patrick Dud Dudkowitz has demonstrated exceptional dedication to his profession and the community. And whereas on May twenty fifth,

1:06:32twenty twenty three and again on June first, twenty twenty three, while off duty and working at a local CrossFit Gin, Firefighter paramedic medic. Patrick. Dudkowitz, sprang into action to provide life saving care to two individuals experiencing cardiac arrest, and Raspatrick Dudkowitz performed cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation, C P R, and applied an automated external defibulator, A.E. D. Successfully obtaining Return of Spontaneous

1:07:02Circulation, R O S C, prior to the arrival of Plant City Fire Rescue in both instances. And RAS, these actions not only save the lives of two community members, but also serve as a testament to the dedication, professionalism, and readiness of Firefighter Parametric Patrick Dudquitz and his fellow first responders in Pasco County. ANRAS at a recognition ceremony, Patrick Dudquitz was awarded a coin of character, which is given to people who do remarkable things out there

1:07:32in the field. Anras Pat Firefighter P Firefighter Paramedic Patrick Dudkowitz actions highlight the importance of hands-only CPR, a simple yet effective technique that can be the difference between life and death in the event of cardiac arrest.

1:07:51Patrick Dudkowitz's actions serve as a powerful reminder of the critical role that first responders play in the world. In our communities and the lives that they save every day. Now therefore, be it resolved by the Board of County Commissioners of Pasco County, Florida, that said board hereby recognizes firefighter parametric Patrick Dudquits for his heroic actions and encourages all residents of Pasco County to learn hands only CPR. Done and resolved in regular session with the quorum present and voting this fourteenth day of november twenty twenty three.

1:08:20Move approval.

1:08:21Second.

1:08:23And Will Cobalt.

1:08:24District One, Commissioner Oakley.

1:08:26Aye.

1:08:26District two, Commissioner Weightman. Aye. District three, Commissioner Starkey. Aye. District four, Commissioner Bradford.

1:08:34District five. District five Chairman Mariano.

1:08:38Hi. Before I get to uh commissioner comments, I just want to say when I read the story I was like really moved by it. I says, you know, we need to recognize this, bring it forward. Um and I'd love you to tell a little bit a little bit more detail. I know people you saved came here today, they think that much of it and you've got a great support team around you and I mean it it's gotta be some type of great feeling when you can save lives. And just going through it with people that are right with you right now. Would you care to elaborate on the story a little bit?

1:09:08Uh yeah, I mean it was Definitely something you're not really prepared for but you're not prepared at the same time. It's kinda just one of those things where it happens and just natural reaction but just from training. But um I'm just thankful that to see them here, uh the Patty's here today. Right here. And then Richard, um he's not here right now, but um just to see that they could be home with their family for the holidays, there's something here too, really.

1:09:33Means a lot more than anything.

1:09:36Well, you're definitely a hero and we we thank you very much for being working for us as a first responder but then taking that extra step outside to to save save a couple of lives is phenomenal. So thank you very much. Gentlemen, Mr. Oakley?

1:09:51Yeah, I'd like to thank you for all that you've done for our citizens and that especially this is so um it's a great thing and you said y you're never prepared but basically you're trained to be prepared and you were prepared. So it's a great thing that what you've done and certainly appreciate everything you do and it carries a long way. to many, many families that they know people like you are are part of our organization and that you're out there prepared and trained to help take

1:10:21care of them. So that's very important. Thank you.

1:10:24Mr. Wheaton?

1:10:25Thank you.

1:10:27I'd be honored to be your workout partner any time if I ever start working out again. But no, hey, look, you're trained, it's instinctive, it's apparent, and you're always on and so we appreciate the sense of urgency that all of you have. You have a great support team behind you and uh so great work. And uh, you know, because of you, uh families will be having a very hopefully great Thanksgiving and

1:10:57a and a very Merry Christmas and a great start to the new year. So Good job. Uh Commissioner Starkey.

1:11:03And uh just like my fellow commissioners, I want to thank you so much. Um you represent us very well and I'm uh very grateful that you were able to step in and and uh do the acts that you did. I actually heard about on the news somewhere. I don't know if it was T V or newspaper, so I'm really honored to meet you in person and thank you.

1:11:22Very good.

1:11:25Yes, but yeah.

1:11:26Um thank you Mr. Chair. I just wanted to also address you and I think that the work that you do every day is is absolutely heroic. I know it's it's what your job is, but um for you and your your fellow uh men and women firefighters, thank you so much for what you do and and to your family, you know, 'cause they ha they kiss you goodbye um when you leave and I know that it's it's it is a a struggle. But um I just wanted to say That was five days apart, correct? Or six?

1:11:57One week apart, two people. You were in the right place at the right time. God puts you in the right place at the right time. You've made such an amazing impact on their lives and I know that they're forever grateful for you. So thank you for for for for doing what you do.

1:12:12Amazing. All right, get a picture? Uh I'm sorry, Commissioner Bradford, sorry about that. I wish you were here more. My fault. I'm so sorry. The corrupt jumped your position up the next one.

1:12:29Congratulations. Congratulations. I'm so very proud of you. I'm proud of the work you do. I'm proud of the the uh family that you have there supporting you, which is uh it's tough when when you leave for the day and they're there, uh it's tough. I've been in those shoes a long time ago, but I've been in those shoes. Uh and I'm extremely proud of this board that each individual commissioner supports our firefighters uh not

1:12:59only in word but uh in um in funding and uh the benefit packages and uh really uh appreciate everything you've done for this community. Thank you.

1:13:14Okay. Yeah.

1:13:19No down and do all the time. Okay. Okay.

1:13:27Need all the ones in support come up. Come on guys.

1:13:34Come on team. The whole team. The whole team. The whole team. Come on.

1:13:38Oh,

1:13:39oh.

1:13:40Jack. Jack. What is that? Jack? The person that he saved is here. Yeah, bring that person back.

1:13:56Oh it's not her. It's it's her. It's his

1:14:01guy said there was someone else.

1:14:03I bet you like having him.

1:14:09Yes. Okay. The one in the black sweater. Okay, we should have had

1:14:13a sweet. We should have let her take some. Well maybe Yeah. Everybody jumping in on this house. Yeah.

1:14:26Trey Trey and I went to Dallas. Um because he had an accident I thought the wrong week. So he's exhausting.

1:14:40You need to go fight and live.

1:14:47Yeah, no, yeah, the

1:14:48ones

1:14:49that are. Yeah. Right.

1:14:56Okay everybody, this camera first please, when you're all right. Sir? And I was like, Well, it's just

1:15:04perfect. Right here everyone. Thank you.

1:15:15Thank you all.

1:15:48Either you go there.

1:15:56Oh. the week of part of

1:15:58it.

1:16:06Someone.

1:16:15Um one of them came on the heat. Seth is here and the gym owner. I don't know. So general people don't give them a chance to talk to anything.

1:16:24Um I think you're okay, really.

1:16:26Just want to make sure you're over.

1:16:33They might scream what this comes.

1:16:46Does anybody know? Jack?

1:16:54Oh citizen. of citizen. So

1:17:01yeah.

1:17:02Yeah.

1:17:07I was gonna move it back or we're gonna move right up. Ricky. Is it wet or?

1:17:16I think.

1:17:18it's not in here. I think that's oh that's Nellis.

1:17:22Yeah.

1:17:22But I see um and um Judge Pablo is here. Maybe he'll stay.

1:17:28Yeah.