Public comment on transportation and community needs

2:58Here. All right, and um that was uh moment of silence for Christine Lonis Pels, who was a longtime employee of our utilities uh engineering department. And um certainly we keep whoever was in that Horrible co accident on fifty two in our thoughts too today. Okay, um now is the time for public comment. Citizens are given the opportunity to comment on any current or future agenda item coming before the board

3:28and 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 are 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 the commissioner or team meter 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

3:59A three minute timer will be activated and a green light will be shown on the podium. After two minutes a yellow light will indicate you have one minute left. When your time is up, a red light will be displayed, three beeps will sound, and you should close your comments. WebEx participants will be disconnected automatically when their time is up. Do we have anyone signed up?

4:20Yes, ma'am, we have two. Uh Kimberly Gibbs is the first individual.

4:27Good morning, Commissioners. My name is Kimberly Gibbs. I currently reside at [address removed]. I'm a unit owner at the Belmont Condominiums in Zephyrhills. I'm here today on behalf of the residents of the Belmont condominiums Located on Island Boulevard And I'm going to be talking about a transportation issue, so in case you're not familiar, Island Boulevard, right outside of Zephyrhills, Silverado is across the street,

4:58Silver Oaks is just right down the street a tiny bit. Wesley Chapel is a few miles down the road where you know throughout Pasco County we've seen enormous, unrestrained development over the past several years. In January I was at Belmont when I heard a loud crash And when I went to investigate, I found a truck that had landed in the pond. Several cars were involved, emergency crews were there, And the person had to

5:28be fished out of the pond. One would think that this might be a fluke if it happened only occasionally. But we're seeing over the past several years car accidents happening very frequently. There have been deaths involved, a dump truck ran into several cars, and resulted in at least two, perhaps up to four. Deaths. Accidents are occurring every week. Following my experience in January, I reached out to mister Vatakuti With

5:58the transportation department. I've had many communications with him. He's a fine an admirable public servant, But he's informed me that he does not have a magic wand, and that you, in fact, are controlling the purse. A traffic signal is scheduled for some time in 2027 that is not acceptable to us in any way. So I'm here today on behalf of our residents and everyone who is being affected by this. Disaster. For you

6:28to go find your magic wand, find the appropriations, and install a traffic light. at the intersection of Island Boulevard and Riles Road, And to also implement other traffic calming measures including a reduced speeding uh speed. Mm limit. Today later you'll be Hearing from applicants who want zoning changes to put hundreds and hundreds of more housing developments in Pasco County without appropriate

6:59infrastructure. We need more than your thoughts and prayers. For all these people who are being affected, and there will be hundreds more car accidents over the next year or two in that location. You approved the housing of thousands of residential units. It is your responsibility to install appropriate infrastructure. We call on you to install the traffic signal right away. Thank you so much. Thank you very

7:29much.

7:30Okay, the next individual is Pastor Troy Peterson.

7:45Good morning uh commissioners, staff, clerk, Troy Peterson, [address removed]. First off, I want to thank you, Commissioners. that prayer this morning by the chaplain. Touched my heart. So thank thank you. I know um

8:10You know, how many how many have dreams? Sometimes you have a dream and you remember the dream. A lot of times I don't remember my dreams. The Bible in Joel chapter 2 says, in the last days your old men will have dreams and your young men visions. And on my manservant and on my maidservant I will pour out my spirit on all flesh. And so I take to heart when I have dreams. And I had this dream and Pastor

8:40Lord and I were standing on the stage And God told me specifically to call uh Commissioner Mariano forward and bless him and have us lead in prayer. There were thousands of people in this field, Commissioner. Thousands. So that's why for years About three years. I came in here to encourage you guys. To have us lead in prayer. Exciting news, CareFest once

9:10again coming up September 27th. Now this year, uh I'm really excited. How many you guys know about elderly nutrition, right? Part of Pasco County. We actually have twenty-seven projects from Elderly Nutrition that have all been vetted by Elderly Nutrition that, you know, this lady needs a wheelchair ramp or this veteran's fence is falling down. There's a whole list of twenty-seven projects. We're going to be gathering together

9:40at Port Ritchie Waterfront Park September 27th at 8 30 in the morning. Now I know in the past commissioners have been involved and and and sent teams out. We've had uh Congressman Bilaruca send send teams in the past. I know Marcy from Community Development has been involved in the past. So if you guys could put that on your calendar. I didn't bring a flyer or anything. We have one more commissioner meeting till then, and I can I can bring flyers, but you

10:10can even look at our somebody cares page or my personal page or Light of the World page. It's it's all on there. We're also working with code enforcement of the city. You know, they're in Port Ritchie and tackling some of these projects. I believe as we continue to be a blessing to the community that God is gonna continue tonight unite his people together to not be overcome of evil but overcome evil by doing good. Last thing, I'm

10:41really disturbed to see what's happening in Newport Ritchie with the Gay Pride Festival coming up September 27th. Uh I've talked with staff there in the city. Uh no permits are pulled or anything like that. And uh, you know, so it's not like years in the past. But if you guys could be looking into that, I'd greatly appreciate it. Thank you for your time.

11:05That is all who is signed up.

11:06Is there anyone else here who wishes to address the county commission?

11:12And do we have anyone online? No one. Okay. Then um we will end public comment.