90th Coffee with the Commissioner Event this Wednesday: All About EMS

 

Join us for our 90th Coffee with the Commissioner event Wednesday, Feb. 14. The Zoom live stream will take place from 6:30-7:30 a.m. To join the meeting, visit our District 1 Facebook site here: www.facebook.com/CommissionerBergosh/. 

Attendees this month will  include County Administrator Wes Moreno, Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore, and EMS Chief David Torsell III. Moreno will provide an update on county business, Gilmore will discuss public safety matters, and Chief Torsell will provide insight into the county's emergency medical services division.  We will discuss issues related to EMS billing, Ambulance service, hold times, and other topics that have been raised recently.  This coffee will allow for other viewpoints and opinions that illustrate both sides of contentious issues within public safety.  We will also discuss the county's ongoing CORE program and our efforts at confronting the ongoing opioid epidemic that results in an average of 6 overdose calls weekly in our area.

If you are interested in this topic--I encourage you to send questions and comments you would like to discussed  during the event through Facebook or they can be emailed to district1@myescambia.com or texted to me 850-293-1459.

For more information, contact our office at 850-595-4910 

Mayor DC Reeves Delivers a State of the City Address to Citizens

We work closely with the city on several issues, and three of my counterparts have large swaths of their districts that are also within the city limits.  So, there will always be some synergies and some crossover that requires city/county cooperation.  The homelessness issue and the related problems are a big topic that will require us working together. In addition to this, my employer ESA South is very interested in the happenings in the city so they asked if I would attend this event. So, I made it a point to attend last evening's "State of the City" Civicon event at the Sanders Beach Community Center.

Here are some highlights of his hour and ten-minute presentation.

First, the mayor focused on describing his progress in addressing his initial promised improvements in safety, housing, and jobs.  To illustrate his progress, he utilized data from a UWF Haas study the city commissioned of only city residents, and he also utilized data from the recently completed PYP Quality of Life Survey of area residents (including Escambia County Residents).

Highlights:

--94% of residents rated Pensacola Fire Department Excellent or Very Good

--87% of residents rated Pensacola Police Department Excellent or Very Good

--89% believe the city is heading in the “right direction.”

--new North City Police Substation will be opened at the PSC campus within the next 60 days

--City Fire Service enjoys the Highest ISO Rating, a 1

--$840,000 grant received for the installation of high tech “Shot Spotter” technology that will enable law enforcement to react to gunfire in real time and at the precise location where the gunfire occurred

--He discussed the ongoing efforts and legislative requests this upcoming session for $18 Million for demolition and re-purposing of the 50-acre legacy campus of Baptist Hospital for housing and other city needs.

--He discussed the current effort and #1 legislative ask from the state legislative delegation for a 5-gate expansion at the Pensacola International Airport-from 12 to 17 gates and additional concession options.  The funding necessary for completing this project will be split between the city, the state, and the federal government, according to Reeves.  Initial design is underway.

--Pensacola’s Airport throughput is at a record high already this year, and the projection is that by year’s end we will have had more than 2.65 million enplanements, which represents an 89% increase over enplanements in 2013

He next described what the survey data revealed to be the most desirable features of the city.  Access to

Rotary Club of Perdido Key Steps up for Safety!

On Saturday morning the Rotary Club of Perdido Key stepped up for swimmer safety at Perdido Key's Beach access #4.  This local club funded and installed an emergency flotation device and signage which can help average citizens to help rescue fellow citizens who might find themselves in distress out in the Gulf.

I was invited to participate and was heartened to see so many volunteers show up to not only install this flotation safety device, but to also clean up the beach as well with a blitz of litter collection by about 3-dozen citizens that came to assist.

According to Dan Sulger, from the Navarre Rotary Club, this same sort of safety system has already, successfully been deployed to 16 public beach access points in Navarre.

"Each one costs about $186.00 to install."  according to Sulger.

I think that is a great investment and we will soon be adding these to the rest of our Perdido access points as well.

Channel 3 covered the event.

An Incredible Letter to Receive--HUGE Congratulations to ECFR

We receive a lot of correspondence from various persons in our offices as county commissioners.  Lots of it is negative, much of it is invitations to events, and very few of it is what one would consider "good news."

But not this letter that came in earlier this month.  It was from a firsthand, eyewitness to ECFR's response to a heart attack victim in District 1 out on Perdido Key.

And the truly outstanding part of it was this witness and letter-writer also happens to be in the business, as a Medical Doctor and EMS worker from Mississippi with more than 25 years experience in the field, currently serving as the Mississippi State Highway Patrol's Medical Director.  His lauditory, positive, and uplifting account was really inspiring to read.

So thanks for sending the letter, for your encouraging and positive remarks. 

And congratulations once again to our outstanding Escambia County First Responders!

Five More Perdido Title Abstracts Received--No Signs of Public Beach Easements Included....

I spent Sunday afternoon in Perdido Key--driving the roundabout from every angle (it works, by the way, if one utilizes the appropriate speed and yields to traffic in the roundabout) and going to each of our public access points and walking up and down the beach.  Some complexes are complying with our sign ordinance, others are not.  Going forward, it appears as if large portions of the beach will open up for public use--but multiple complexes, so far as we can tell thus far, will indeed have private beachfronts as their titles have no public access easements listed.....

Late Monday I received the latest batch of detailed title abstracts from parcels on Perdido Key East of Perdido Skye.  All five of these appear to be from the same batch of parcels that were sold off to local interests in 1912 by the Florida State Board of Education.  As I skimmed each one, I found no language, easements, reservations or any other encumbrance that spoke to public beach access on these parcels.

(read them for yourself here, here, here, here, and here)

Yesterday, I received an email from our attorney who also reviewed these abstracts, and who found essentially the same thing--albeit with a slight disclaimer in his final sentence, below:

"Commissioner:

 I was able to review the most recent batch of abstract reports more quickly than anticipated because the properties have a common chain of title.  Unfortunately, I did not find any references that affirmatively establish a public access easement, although there were several references to that possibility.

 Steve

 Stephen G. West, Senior Assistant County Attorney

Office of the County Attorney"

So what does this mean?

It appears, thus far with only a couple of more abstracts to examine, that the parcels to the East of Perdido Skye do indeed have "private" beaches---as do the parcels directly west of the state park going over to the state line.  That is what we have found thus far.

But-------a HUGE stretch of 64 parcels' worth of beachfront DO contain easement language for public access to public beaches.

So, once we have the final abstracts and have examined them--I will ask the attorney's office to write a comprehensive point paper covering this topic from which the board can make an informed policy decision on how to proceed.  As I have said all along, I respect the rules and the parcels that have private beaches to the water will be respected and the ones that have public access easements will be openend.

And access #1 and #4 will be tricky---but #2 and #3 will be opened.  I will also work hard to bolster safety at #2 and #3 by adding lifeguards and towers as quickly as we can.

I am also going to speak with Represntative Alex Andrade about what the county would need to do to take over and open up the parking facility at the State Park out there that is underutilized due to a partial closure that has gone on for a long time.  I attempted to reach him yesterday and will do so again today.

More to come, but I am working a plan that will provide for more parking safety and access but respects everyone's rights.

County Requests Safety Evaluation of FDOT's Beulah Road/9-Mile Road Intersection: FDOT is Studying the Issue

There have been a number of wrecks at the intersection of the state's roads Beulah Road and 9-Mile Road.

The latest one resulted in a fatality.  Numerous Citizens have expressed concern.  And the county is listening.

Last week, we requested FDOT look into this situation for safety's sake via this email, below:

"Escambia County requests the Department conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the signalized intersection of Nine Mile Road (State Road 10 / U.S. 90-A) at Beulah Road (State Road 99).  The Design-Build improvements were complete in February 2022 and drivers routinely request changes to the geometry, pavement markings and traffic signal operations.  The evaluation may need multiple staff with multiple backgrounds; Design, Safety Office, and Traffic Operations. 

 One specific concern that routinely comes up is the obscured view of oncoming thru traffic for the driver turning left on the green permissive phase.  (It appears to be more obscure for the eastbound left turning vehicle.)  Has the Department reviewed the possibility of shifting the EB left turn lane to the north to provide additional sight distance?  If it is not feasible, please examine changing the traffic signal’s left turn treatment from protected/permissive mode to protected only mode.  There have been two major crashes with eastbound left turning drivers failing to yield the right of way and turning in front of a westbound driver in the past few months.  (November 16, 2022 and April 28, 2023).  The latest crash resulted in a fatality.

 FDOT Design Office is currently managing Project 433113-5-52-01, Beulah Road resurfacing from Mobile Highway (SR 10A/U.S. 90) to Issacs Lane.  There may already be an evaluation complete.  If so, can you forward the document?  There may be some short-term recommendations Escambia County maintenance staff can implement.  The Google Earth KMZ file representing 30% plans is attached.

 FDOT provided signalization upgrades during the Design-Build project that can provide valuable data for the evaluation.  The detection camera provides a variety of data including turning movement counts and 24-hour counts. I am also available to meet to go over some of the citizen suggestions, verify measurements in the field and obtain photos.    

 County Commissioner Bergosh has requested to stay informed on the progress of this request.  I am copying him on this email.  As a courtesy, I am also copying the District Traffic Operations Engineer.

 Appreciate your support."

Wednesday of last week, FDOT acknowledged the issue and confirmed they are having the matter looked into.

Good afternoon Jim,

 

"We have tasked Phillip Kurth, with FTE to study this location.

 Phillip

 Please see Jim’s email below regarding the Task Assignment for this location that I sent you earlier. Please work with Jim Hagon on this assignment.

 Respectfully,

 Tammy Melchi

Traffic Specialist IV

FDOT Traffic Operations Office"

more to come.

3-Year Buget Deal between BCC and ECSO on Tomorrow's Agenda

The proposed 3-year funding agreement between the BCC and ECSO to be considered tomorrow is the latest demonstration of this Board's support for public safety, first responders,  and law enforcement

There is a fairly profound agenda item on tomorrow's BCC regular meeting agenda.

Over the last several months, staff and personnel from the county and ECSO have been working toward a multi-year budget deal for the ECSO.  

The BCC had a similar, 4-year deal negotiated back in 2018.

If the board approves this deal and the Sheriff signs it--the two entities will have a deal that makes the budgeting for the next three years "plug and play."  No drama like we have seen before, no billboards, no negativity, just a fair and straightforward three year deal that provides what the ECSO needs--including significant yearly pay increases in each of the next three years--- while simultaneously necessitating NO tax rate increases for citizens and NO raising of the Sheriff's MSTU.

This will be a big deal if passed and enacted--which I feel fairly certain will happen.

It demonstrates this board's continuing support of public safety, corrections,  and first responders--as this comes on the heels of us providing historic raises and bonuses for ECFR, EMS, and corrections.

While it is easy for some to denigrate us and attempt to falesly accuse this board of "not supporting" public safety-----those false assessements fall flat in the face of our demonstrated support for public safety and first responders through our actions via this budget.

And this potential 3-year deal with ECSO is just the latest example of this effort and commitment. 

See the backup for this three year deal here.

How YOU Can Help the State DOT Properly Prioritize 4-Lanes for Sorrento Road

 

We need citizens to speak to the state via their (FDOT's) online survey which is open until the end of July.  If you think Sorrento Road needs four lanes, massive FHP patrol increases, and safety enhancements--please join me in telling this to FDOT.   See the link to do so in this post, below.

It really comes down to the citizens on this one.

The old adage is true--the squeaky wheel gets the oil.

Sorrento Road had a planned 4-lane project PD&E years ago that was summarily cancelled in early 2015 after the D2 commission race that year led to a new commissioner coming into the seat with different priorities.  Elections have consequences.

4-lanes on Perdido Key drive died after that.  Dead and buried, and so did the PD&E and project to 4-lane Sorrento Road.  That's the undisputable fact of reality that occurred and it has been a problem ever since.

Meanwhile, the crosses keep multiplying on Sorrento Road--another death just this past Monday.  I spoke to Channel 3 about it yesterday evening, I spoke at last week's TPO about it, and I've been banging the drum about Sorrento Road ever since re-districting--it was a prominantly-featured discussion point at my Perdido Key townhall.  Still, this Sorrento Road state project languishes at number 19 on FDOT's priority list locally.

This road has had 86 crashes and multiple fatalities over just the last 15 month period!  I wonder how many of those could have been avoided if the 4-lane project wasn't halted 7 years ago?  We will never know.  Meanwhile, the wrecks keep happening and people keep dying.

Now, the FDOT is doing a big project from the Baars bridge to Bauer Road.  Good--this is desperately needed and will help.  Bravo!  

But the stretch from Blue Angel to Bauer is where the deaths are happening and the bad head on collissions.  That stretch desperately needs attention.

We need more FHP (state road should have a massive influx of STATE troopers patrolling it)

We need wider lanes, 4-lanes, paved and level shoulders, rumble strips, some sort of barrier between the lanes perhaps? , and more lighting.  There is plenty of ROW (right of way) to make these improvements---the state just needs to do it and stop can-kicking.  That's my opinion.  They know this roadway has potholes, problems, and yes--lots of fatalities.

Yes--I know, I know.  A lot (if not the majority) of the wrecks are caused by impatient, careless, reckless or impaired drives.  Yes, I know.  But these sorts of folks are driving all our local roadways---yet the deaths are stacking up at a higher rate on SORRENTO ROAD---meaning there is an issue with the road moreso than just chalking it up to bad drivers.

SO HERE'S HOW YOU CAN HELP!

The state has an online survey up through the end of July.  It will be used to help the state and the TPO prioritize local state roadways like Sorrento Road.  It can be accessed here.  Take the survey, make your voice heard, and tell the state to do more to make Sorrento Road safer.  The survey literally takes 3 minutes to complete.  But here is the key: At the end of the survey there is a fill-in the blank box that states, literally, "Please share any additional transportation concerns below" I'd encourage citizens to write in that box something akin to the following: "Sorrento Road from Blue Angel Pkwy to the Baars Bridge is dangerous and needs state attention immediately--as there have been 86 accidents in just over a year's time.  It needs to be four laned, with shoulders, lights, rumble strips, and a barrier between the East and West bound lanes ---particularly on the stretch between Blue Angel Parkway and Bauer Roae---to prevent any more head on fatalities.  Also, this road needs a massive state police FHP operation and ongoing, enhanced patrols, to cite careless drivers!"   (or something like that)

If they hear from enough citizens--they will move and this project will get bumped up.

If everyone, collectively, shrugs their shoulders---nothing will happen and the crosses will continue to multiply and line the side of this dangerous state roadway we all drive upon to get to the beach at Perdido Key.

Help me get their attention, please!

71st Coffee with the Commissioner this Wednesday Morning at 6:30

 Join us for our 71st Coffee with the Commissioner event this Wednesday, April 13th. The live stream will take place from 6:30-7:30 a.m. To join the meeting, visit our D1 Facebook page here: www.facebook.com/CommissionerBergosh/. 

Attendees for the coffee will be Interim County Administrator Wes Moreno and  Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore; Moreno will give an update on county business and Gilmore will share the latest public safety information for Escambia County. 

We will focus our coffee this month on important issues of Escambia County governance and a "deep-dive" discussion on public safety and administration.

Residents are encouraged to send virtual questions and comments they would like to discuss during the event through Facebook. 

For more information, contact District 1 at 850-595-4910 or district1@myescambia.com. For District 1 updates, follow @MyDistrict1 on Twitter.

On FM 92.3 AM 1620 Later This Morning Discussing A 4-Part Strategy on Fire Funding/Budgeting

I'll be on the radio later this morning discussing public safety.  Last week, I had a coffee with the commissioner event that featured all the players in public safety---EMS chief, Fire Chief, Administrator, and Director of Public Safety.

We covered a lot of ground, and on that podcast I discussed my four part strategy for right-sizing the budgets of EMS, Fire, and Public Safety WITHOUT raising the millage rate.

Andrew McKay asked me to join him later this morning to discuss this four part initiative.

I look forward to doing so at 8:05 this morning.

If I am provided a recording of the interview--I'll post it here.

65th Coffee with the Commissioner this Wednesday: Escambia County Public Safety Roundtable Discussion

Join us for our 65th edition of the Coffee with the Commissioner this coming Wednesday, September 8th from 6:30-7:30 AM

We will be having a discussion on the state of Public Safety in Escambia County.

I'm pleased to announce that on the Zoom meeting will be our Public Safety Director, Eric Gilmore, our Fire Chief, Jason Catrambone, and our EMS Chief, David Torsell.  Additionally, Wes Moreno, Escambia County Administrator will also be on the call.

We will discuss the upcoming budget, status of bargaining, challenges ahead, and opportunities ahead for improving our operations, responses, and overall readiness.

I will also be discussing my 4-Part strategy for stabilization of the ECFR budget--which I have already discussed with Eric Gilmore and with Chief Catrambone.  And full disclosure--they don't necessarily agree with some of what I will propose.  But we will have the discussion.

I look forward to the conversation--be sure to join us for the livestream on Facebook, and feel free to send questions in advance if you would like to do so.

I'll get to as many of them as I can!

Join me for our virtual 65th Coffee with the Commissioner event Wednesday, Sept. 9th. The live stream will take place from 6:30 - 7:30 a.m. To join the meeting, go to the following Facebook page and watch the live stream: www.facebook.com/CommissionerBergosh/.

Escambia County's Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) Has Been Invaluable for Citizens Over the Years

Nobody Likes Taxes---But with a Local Option Sales Tax in place---EVERYONE pays some--including tourists and folks that don't work.  Without LOST--a county's burden for facilities and infrastructure falls nearly exclusively on the collective backs of property tax payers.....

Lots of folks have been asking my opinion about the upcoming referendum in Santa Rosa County to go to a penny Local Option Sales Tax as Escambia County has done for the last 27 years.

I was asked to give my opinion, which I did when I spoke in a commercial for the folks that are backing the penny.  In the commercial I discussed some of the ways this tax has been beneficial to Escambia County over the years.

Obviously, though, this is a vote and a decision that belongs exclusively to the citizens of Santa Rosa County.  And they will decide this question next Tuesday in a special election.

But as it relates to my experience--I can tell you unequivocally--Escambia County's Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) has been invaluable for Citizens here over the years.

Escambia County's LOST has been maintained by the electorate since 1992 as follows:

LOST I                    June 1, 1992 (for 7 years per ordinance)

LOST II                  May 13, 1997 - May 31, 2007 (per ordinance)

LOST III                 June 1, 2007 - December 31, 2017 (per ordinance)

LOST IV                January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2028

According to staff with whom I have spoken--the total revenue generated over these years amounts to a massive figure:  $1,057,564,174.00 total including LOST IV's revenue in 2019 YTD.  So this equates to an average of $39 Million Dollars yearly over this period that Escambia County has utilized to modernize our facilities, parks, and infrastructure.  We have also utilized this revenue to purchase facilities and equipment, vehicles, and other items for the Sheriff's Department.  Escambia County Fire Rescue has also had fire facilities and equipment purchased with this revenue.  Because we had this revenue, we have also had the financial resources to lure huge companies to our County with economic development incentives--notably Navy Federal Credit Union and ST Engineering Aerospace.

The School Board in Escambia County (of which I was a member for 10 years) also had their own 1/2 penny LOST--which was used to build entire schools and finance the purchases of modern School Bus Fleets and tremendous numbers of renovations and upgrades at 57 school campuses county-wide.  When I was a school board member--I often wondered where our schools would have been, from a facilities perspective, without this revenue source.....Answer:  We would have been in DIRE STRAITS.

So no one knows for certain how Santa Rosa County will vote on this--again it is up to the voters and we will all see on Tuesday which way it goes over there.  For my part, I ALWAYS loved the fact that the sales tax method reduced the burden on property tax payers, it put everyone into the mix by taxing purchases by everyone (including tourists and folks that do not own property or work but who are nevertheless hyper-consumers of alcohol, tobacco, bling, iPhones, and other products upon which this tax is levied.)  In short, it forces everyone to put "skin in the game".

It has been excellent for Escambia.

We shall see if Santa Rosa property owners see this and vote appropriately on Tuesday--it will be in their interest to do so, in my opinion

Leadership Vacuum Part I: Getting the Respirators Replaced

We voted, and now we will spend $2.9 Million so that all the firefighters in Escambia County---paid and volunteer--will have brand-new, certified and fully OSHA compliant respirator equipment for use in fighting fires.

We've recently funded millions in change orders for repairs to the fire trucks and also for the purchase of several new engines.  We are working a plan for a fire training facility and I am working diligently to modernize the fire station in Beulah--there is $3.5 Million already earmarked for that project.  Add to this that over the last 6 years the BCC has increased the fire service budget geometrically--and the reality becomes very clear.  This board cares about fire service, and we are putting resources into fire.  But we can't fix issues if they are not brought to our attention.

So how did this situation, with the respirators, come to a boiling point so quickly--how was it allowed to come to a point that board members at the 11th hour and 59th minute were told that non-compliant, out of date, and potentially dangerous life-packs were being used by our firefighters in Escambia County?

Like many other issues that we have had to tackle in crisis-mode for the last several years, it appears this situation developed because of a leadership vacuum in which folks in their stove-pipe areas were precluded from coming forward with this issue.  Whether it was because of budgets, or perceptions, or fear for job, or [fill in the blank] we the BCC members were not told about this issue.  Had we have been told, I am confident we would have acted.

People must have the backbone to bring important issues to their supervisors and then to the board--

Florida's New Texting and Driving Law--Good Information for All Drivers

A more robust Florida texting and driving law goes into effect in one month...here's what you need to know about it.....

I received the below information from NAS Pensacola's Base Operating Support Safety Officer late last week.

It contains excellent information that drivers need to be aware of ahead of the implementation of Florida's new texting law -----which will go into effect on July 1st of this year.

Here is the information:

"What Florida Motorists Need to Know

1. When Florida’s New Texting Ban Becomes Law – The new texting law will officially take effect on July 1, 2019, but even when it does, officers will only give motorists warnings until January 1, 2020. At that time, they can begin issuing citations.
2. Texting While Driving a Primary Law – The bill signed by Gov. DeSantis makes texting while driving a primary offense, thereby allowing law enforcement officers to pull motorists over and issue citations solely for texting behind the wheel. Texting while driving had previously been a secondary offense, meaning officers were only able to cite drivers after they pulled them over for another primary offense, such as a moving violation.
3. Handheld Devices Banned in Construction / School Zones – In addition to prohibiting texting by all drivers as a primary offense, the new law also bans the use of handheld wireless communication devices in construction zones and school zones, except for emergencies. This provision will take effect on October 1, 2019, with officers issuing warnings until January 1, 2020.
4. Fines, Penalties, and First Offenders – Under the new law, a first texting offense will be punishable by a $30 fine and court fees. A second offense carries a $60 fine, court costs and related fees, and three points on a driver’s license. A first offense involving texting in school or construction zones also carries additional license points. First offenders can purchase hands-free Bluetooth devices, show proof of purchase, and complete a driver safety education course in order to avoid fines and license penalties.
5. Permitted Cell Phone Use - Florida’s law bans text messaging while a vehicle is moving, but permits the use of cell phones and other similar handheld electronic devices (except in school and construction zones) for limited purposes. Drivers are still allowed to use phones and devices for Maps / GPS navigation, making phones calls, and reading emergency messages, such as weather alerts.

WHY A NEW LAW?

Texting while driving has been illegal in Florida for years, but existing law was largely ineffective in terms of enforcement. Because officers were not able to pull drivers over and cite them unless they committed another traffic violation, few motorists were actually cited under the law. In the entirety of 2018, for example, law enforcement issued just over 1,600 citations throughout the state.

What is this All About?

This email, above, was circulated to board members at this morning's regular BCC meeting.  I had heard of its existence, anecdotally, but had not seen it until today.

The email is deeply troubling on multiple levels and the reasons behind this email being sent were not made clear during the meeting this morning--although several folks came up to the podium in attempts to explain what they thought this meant or what they think the sender meant.

In a nutshell--so far as I understand it--when an EMS unit is in the process of dropping a patient off at the hospital, often dispatch will assign that unit the next call---in efforts to improve efficiency and let that crew know there is a call waiting and therefore once the current patient is safely and properly handed off to the hospital--they need to expeditiously roll to the next call.  Nothing wrong with that, that is called good and rapid service to our citizens when emergencies happen.

And so I think dispatch is doing exactly what they should be doing--- and to argue against efficiency in order to "show a delay and a need for more trucks."  This is troubling and I am glad that (then) PS Director Weaver and current Administrator Weaver shot that idea from the union president down.

In all fairness, Mr. Jenkins did send a response to all commissioners this afternoon after this whole thing erupted like a volcano.  Here is his response to the commissioners....