REGULAR MEETING

LEVY COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

June 20, 2000

 The Regular Meeting of the Board of Levy County Commissioners was held on June 20, 2000 at 9:00 a.m. in the Levy County Board of County Commissioners’ meeting room, with the following Commissioners present:

Chairman Wilbur Dean

Vice Chairman Sammy Yearty

Comm. Don Foley

Comm. Frank Davis

Comm. Lilly Rooks

 Also present were:

County Attorney - Gregory V. Beauchamp

Clerk of Court - Douglas M. McKoy

County Administrator - William C. Cobb

 The Chairman called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.. The invocation was given by Mr. Douglas M. McKoy followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

EXPENDITURES

 Comm. Rooks moved to approve the following expenditures presented for payment. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 FUND                                                              AMOUNT
 CHECK NUMBERS: 25321-25506

 GENERAL FUND                                     $175,128.13

 ROAD & BRIDGE FUND                              36,969.14

 LOCAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE                 4,553.81

 LIBRARY                                                           1,313.65

 COURT SERVICES                                           935.00

 911                                                                       370.09

 LANDFILL & RECYCLING                           56,951.54

 COURT FACILITIES                                           916.13

 FLORIDA POWER                                             266.24

 EMS                                                                  7,828.98

 SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION                             782.80

 FIRE CONTROL                                            39,627.50

 JUDICIAL GRANT                                           1,000.00

 JUVENILE JUSTICE                                          184.49

 UTILITIES                                                             896.44

                                                        TOTAL $327,723.94

 MINUTES

Comm. Davis moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of June 6, 2000, and the special meetings of June 6, 2000 and June 16, 2000. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 WATER CONTROL AND WATER BOARDS

Mr. David Still of the Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD) advised the District will begin enforcement of Rule 40B-1.703 on July 1, 2000. Mr. Still said the rule was enacted in 1986 and they are trying to conform the permitting process for the counties.

Mr. Still said the requirements will have a 75 feet set back for new dwellings with no construction in the regulatory flood way and all dwellings will have to meet Federal Emergency Management Plan (FEMA) requirements. Mr. Rob Corbitt said the requirements will reduce some enforcement by local Development Departments as SRWMD will be responsible for enforcement. Mr. Corbitt added it will increase costs for people in certain areas not previously subject to the requirements but overall will reduce permitting cost requirements.

 AIRPORT

Mr. Walt McJordan said he was requesting access at the airport and requested any opposition be allowed to precede his presentation.

Mrs. Kirstin Coconis said she was not in opposition of allowing access but recommended allowing access from property on the east side instead of closing a current tie down position.

Mr. McJordan said by allowing the access through tie down position #5 it would allow use of two (2) other positions currently being used. Mr. McJordan said he was requesting access that was already provided to other residents on the south side of the airport and who were allowed to use their driveways for airplane access. Mr. McJordan requested a decision on allowing him airport access since the matter has been under review since 1992 with a committee being appointed to review the request and no change being made in the Airport Master Plan. Comm. Yearty moved to make slot #5 a no parking area to allow Mr. McJordan access to his property. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

Mrs. Coconis said she was concerned on the legality of parking airplanes in a building used as a hangar. Mr. Beauchamp advised the building is legally permitted and a majority of the issues were resolved through litigation. Mrs. Coconis said she was concerned about the fire safety in the building. Mr. Beauchamp said he will prepare a response after a review with Mr. Corbitt.

Chairman Dean requested Justin Watson to properly mark the area at the airport and to repair a cable tie down.

 COMMISSIONERS

Mr. John King inquired on the salaries of commissioners based on a report he read in a newspaper. Chairman Dean advised the source of the report should be verified as the information provided was not correct. Mr. Beauchamp said the salaries of the commissioners are set by the legislature and based on population.

 PLANNING, COUNTY

Mr. Billy Cobb said he has been negotiating with Mr. Mike Caulder of Canal Forest to purchase 20 acres adjacent to the Road Department and is requesting authorization to proceed with a counter offer of $2,200.00 per acre. Comm. Davis moved to authorize proceeding with an offer of $2,200.00 per acre for the twenty (20) acres. Comm. Yearty seconded. Mr. Beauchamp said the offer may be made in a proposed contract for sale and to have the property appraisals included and the MOTION CARRIED.

 SALARY AND WAGES

Mr. Billy Cobb presented the following requests for an increase in salary:

Royella Coleman, Administrative Assistant I, Construction and Maintenance, an increase to $9.73 per hour.

Comm. Foley moved to approve the request for the increase in salary. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

Sherry Denney, Administrative Assistant I, 911 Addressing, an increase to $8.4635 per hour.

Comm. Foley moved to approve the request for the increase in salary. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 GRANTS

Mr. Douglas McKoy said additional points have been secured on the application for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) from a resurvey of the service project areas and the contribution approved for $150,000.00. Mr. McKoy said this does not assure the grant application being approved.

 ZONING

Mr. Corbitt said the final plat for Rockwood Subdivision is being advertised for the July 5, 2000 regular meeting.

 ROAD AND BRIDGE DEPARTMENT

Mr. Justin Watson said the Small County Outreach Program established by the Department of Transportation (DOT) has requested two (2) projects to be submitted for resurfacing and reconstructing, constructing capacity or safety improvements of county roads. Mr. Watson said DOT will provide funding for 75% of the project with 25% being match funds. Mr. Watson provided the following two (2) projects for consideration:

LCR C-335 (NE 106th Terrace and NE 75th Street) from Alt. 27 thru SR 121. It is 18 feet in lane width and 11.47 miles long. The recommendation is to upgrade to a 20 feet lane width.

LCR - C341 (NW 60th Avenue) from CR 336 thru US Hwy. 19. It is a 22 feet lane width and 2.07 miles. The recommendation is to resurface the roadway and LCR 341 from CR 336 thru US Hwy. 19 for 7.46 miles and upgrade to a 20 feet lane width from an 18 feet lane width.

Comm. Davis moved to approve the recommendation and to submit the projects for the Small County Outreach Program. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 ROAD MAINTENANCE

Mr. Watson presented the following request for acceptance into the maintenance system:

NW 127th Place in Glenwood Estates, 50 feet right of way, 1/4 mile long.

Comm. Foley moved to approve the placement into the maintenance system. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 INSURANCE

Mr. Fred Rummage said HealthPlan Southeast has advised there will be a 17 percent increase of premiums based on claims filed in the past year. Mr. Rummage advised Mr. Trace Milam will attend the July 5, 2000 regular meeting with a representative from HealthPlan Southeast to discuss the proposed rate increase and address current complaints. Mr. Rummage said there has not been a receptive response for bids from competitive health insurance providers.

 PARKS AND RECREATION

Mrs. Carol McQueen said a meeting will be held on July 11, 2000 at 7:00 p.m. at the Fanning Springs City Hall to discuss the conceptual management plan for the Fanning Springs Recreational Area. Mrs. McQueen reported the park service is recommending closing the current access to the wayside park and directing all traffic through a ranger station and charging fees. Mrs. McQueen said the current plan would also disrupt the area used for special events. Comm. Foley moved to prepare and submit a resolution in opposition of changing the status of the wayside park. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 COUNTY EMPLOYEES

Mr. Beauchamp said the policy for county vehicles has been distributed and reviewed and he recommended preparing a list of positions eligible for county vehicles. Comm. Davis moved to approve the policy for the use of county vehicles by county employees. Comm. Yearty seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

Mr. Beauchamp provided a draft for a Policy For County Employees Running For Public Office for review. Mr. Beauchamp said there are Florida Statutes that address the issue and the policy does not contradict the Florida Statutes. Comm. Yearty moved to adopt the policy. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 PROPERTY APPRAISER

Mr. Beauchamp said Mr. Francis Akins has requested a written response on the issue of late filing for a tax abatement by Monterey Boats. Comm. Davis moved to send Mr. Francis Akins, Property Appraiser a letter indicating there is no objection of considering a late filing for tax abatement by Monterey Boats. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 GRANTS

Mr. Beauchamp said the City of Chiefland has requested a letter of support to be submitted with their grant application for funds to purchase the old Chiefland Railroad station. Comm. Davis moved to send the City of Chiefland a letter of support for their grant application. Comm. Rooks seconded MOTION CARRIED.

 LANDFILLS

Comm. Yearty recommended revising the requirements for the letter of credits currently required of vendors hauling waste to the landfill. Comm. Yearty said a letter of credit or a bond of $100,000.00 should be posted by a vendor to guarantee payment of their accounts. Mr. Beauchamp requested Mr. Cobb to review the current policy on the $3,000.00 letter of credit and advise on his findings for a legal review.

 ORDINANCES

Mr. Beauchamp said the first public hearing addressing the concern on mud bogging events was held on June 16, 2000 and the second public hearing will be held June 27, 2000 at 10:00 a.m. Mr. Beauchamp explained that all approved ordinances are submitted to the Secretary of State and become effective when properly filed.

 AUDITS

Mr. McKoy said the Town of Otter Creek does not have a fire department and the Gulf Hammock Volunteer Fire Department has been responding. Mr. McKoy said the audit requirements for the Town of Otter Creek are not the same as the Volunteer Fire Department, however, Gulf Hammock Volunteer Fire Department has submitted a detailed report for expenditures for the Town of Otter Creek and he recommends disbursing the funds to the town. Comm. Davis moved to authorize the release of funds to the Town of Otter Creek to pay for services rendered by the Gulf Hammock Volunteer Fire Department. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 PARKS AND RECREATION

Comm. Yearty said the Road Department at the request of the Parks Department resurfaced part of the park area and boat ramp at the end of Highway 40 in the Inglis/Yankeetown area. Mr. Wayne Hardee said the improvements benefit the people who use the boat ramp, picnic and restroom facilities. Comm. Yearty moved to pay for the work from the Boating Improvement Fund for all the work done at the boat ramp at the end of Highway 40. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 COMMUNICATIONS

Sheriff Glass reported the repeater for the Fire Department was struck by lightning and destroyed. Mr. Cobb said the cost for replacement of the repeater needs to be submitted with a claim to the insurance carrier.

THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE MEETING ADJOURNED.

 Wilbur Dean, Board Chairman

ATTEST:

Douglas M. McKoy, Clerk of Court