REGULAR MEETING
LEVY COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
July 18, 2000
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Levy County Commissioners was held on July 18, 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 Sheriff Glass followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
EXPENDITURES
Comm. Davis moved to approve the following expenditures presented for payment. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
FUND AMOUNT
CHECK NUMBERS: 25714 - 25918
GENERAL FUND $282,907.39
ROAD & BRIDGE FUND 39,107.24
LOCAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE 3,000.00
LIBRARY 28,641.05
COURT SERVICES 6,850.95
911 5,865.77
LANDFILL 55,961.57
SPECIAL LAW ENF TRUST 517.06
FLORIDA POWER 362.21
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES 13,469.99
LOCAL LAW ENF BLK GRANT 2,927.53
FIRE CONTROL 65,365.75
DRUG TASK FORCE 50,000.00
JUVENILE JUSTICE 970.00
UTILITIES FUND 796.23
TOTAL $556,742.74
MINUTES
Comm. Rooks moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of July 5, 2000 and the special meeting of July 12, 2000. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
ROADS, STATE
Ms. Joye Brown with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) presented the Adopted Work Program for Levy County for years 2000/2001 thru 2004/2005 reflecting the following projects:
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Comm. Yearty said the county engineer has reviewed the site for the bikepath/sidewalk and the recommendation from the bikepath committee is to have the bikepath/sidewalk extend to the intersection of C-40A. Comm. Yearty explained this area is heavily traveled by children and senior citizens which has created a concern for safety.
Ms. Brown said the priority list should be submitted prior to October 1, 2000 for the next group of projects to be considered by FDOT. Chairman Dean requested a review on installing turning lanes on SR 24 which has heavy commuter traffic.
Ms. Brown explained the funding for the resurfacing of US 19 from Chiefland to Fanning Springs does not allow for installation of any sidewalks.
GRANTS
Mr. Lannie Cardona said letters of support had been received from the Suwannee Basin GEOpark, Williston Area Chamber of Commerce and Cedar Key Area Chamber of Commerce supporting the promotion of tourism in the Tri-County area.
Mr. James Brantley with the Florida Association Of Counties reported on the current status of the Tri-County Tourism Development Program allowing a study for enhancing tourism throughout Levy, Dixie and Gilchrist counties. Mr. Brantley said approval of the recommended action plan to proceed with a baseline study on what activities are available in the area and what may be developed is needed.. Mr. Brantley said a 15 member tourism board needs to be appointed and recommends appointing some citizens whose business is based on tourism and include a commissioner on the board. Mr. Brantley said the study must be completed by December 1, 2000 and the board will comprise of members from Levy, Dixie and Gilchrist counties. Comm. Rooks moved to approve the recommended action plan for the Tri-County Tourism Project. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS
Mrs. Jacqueline Martin presented the interlocal agreement received from the Town of Otter Creek for the performance of building code enforcement services. Comm. Rooks moved to approve the agreement. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
APPOINTMENTS
Mrs. Martin said the North Central Florida Health Planning Council, Inc. has advised the terms of office for all members of the Board of Directors will expire on September 30, 2000 and they are requesting notification of the reappointment of Ms. Eugenia Ahmed or another appointee. Chairman Dean said action would be taken at a later date on naming the appointment to the North Central Florida Health Planning Council, Inc..
GRANTS
Mrs. Martin presented a resolution from the Withlacoochee Regional Planning Council authorizing them as the Levy County Designated Official Planning Agency for the filing of a Transportation Disadvantaged Trust Fund Grant Application with the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged. Comm. Davis moved to approve the resolution. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
HOUSING AUTHORITY
Mr. Douglas McKoy said additional information had been obtained on the housing funding program utilizing the 2000 Bay County Housing Finance Authority’s Single Family Bond Program for providing low interest rate mortgages and down payment assistance to qualified first time home buyers as a participating county.
Mrs. Carol McQueen said this program is being offered to rural counties for participation in a bonding program which would allow moderate income residents who are not eligible for the SHIP program to be able to obtain lending assistance from participating lenders. Mrs. McQueen explained the program would not be administered by the county but by allowing a public hearing, the county would be the governing body allowing the program to be presented to the local lending institutions.
Mr. Ralph Cellon of Morgan-Keegan and Company, Inc. said the only financial obligation to the county would be the advertisement of the public hearing for presenting the housing program. Mr. Cellon added this program allows for an additional source of funds at a slightly lower interest rate for the purchase of homes for first time home buyers. Mr. Cellon said acceptance to participate in the program must be submitted to the state by December 1, 2000. Comm. Foley moved to postpone the decision to schedule a public hearing until the next regular meeting to allow additional information to be provided on the program. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED. Chairman Dean requested Mr. Cellon to be present on August 8, 2000 for further discussion of the program.
SALARY AND WAGES
Mr. Billy Cobb presented the following requests for increases in salary:
Darlene Meeks, Courthouse Switchboard Operator at $7.8527 per hour, increase to $8.3527 per hour, effective July 31, 2000.
Comm. Rooks moved to approve the request. Comm. Yearty seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
Laurie S. Durrance, Development Department, increase from $7.0200 to $7.5200 per hour, effective July 31, 2000.
Comm. Davis moved to approve the request. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
Christine L. Sheppard, Development Department, increase from $7.8208 per hour to $8.5200 per hour, promoting to Administrative Assistant, effective July 31, 2000.
Comm. Davis moved to approve the request. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
Mr. Cobb recommended reviewing the current location of the Williston ambulance station and addressing the needs of a new station at a new location. Mr. Cobb said the current mobile home used as the station no longer meets the needs for the emergency medical personnel and there is no room for expansion at the present location. Chairman Dean advised Mr. Cobb to proceed with the concept to locate a site to establish a new ambulance station.
ROAD MAINTENANCE
Mr. Justin Watson presented the following requests for maintenance on a one (1) time basis:
NE 78th Lane located in University Estates, 1.50 miles long, requiring clearing and grubbing with a minimum of 100 loads of rock.
Chairman Dean said NE 78th Lane is a heavily traveled street in University Estates. Comm. Rooks moved to approve the request for maintenance on a one (1) time basis. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
Comm. Foley requested a procedure be established for doing the requests for maintenance on a one (1) time basis to prevent scheduled jobs from being delayed by removing equipment and employees from the jobs to do the maintenance requests.
SW 123rd Terrace, Cedar Key Heights, requiring four (4) loads of rock and grading.
Comm. Rooks moved to approve on a one (1) time basis. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
Mr. Watson presented the following request for acceptance into the maintenance system:
1. NW 72nd Court (Tennessee Street)
2. NW 73rd Terrace (Alabama Street)
3. NW 75th Avenue (Mississippi Street)
4. North of NW 170th Street (Illinois Avenue) LCR 250
Located in the Fannin Springs Annex, a distance 1/4 mile with 50 feet of dedicated right of way.
Mr. Watson explained this would allow all of the roads in the Fannin Spring Annex to be in the maintenance system. Comm. Foley moved to approve the request to accept the roads into the maintenance system. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
Mr. Watson made the recommendation to approve the following requests for placement on the paving list:
Cedar Key Mobile Home Village with 46 homes.
Comm. Rooks moved to place on the paving list. Comm. Foley seconded. Comm. Davis recommended the paving list be reviewed and the projects be prioritized with the new additions to the list and the MOTION CARRIED.
Cedar Haven Estates, LCR 4026, consisting of SW 69th Street, SW 109th Avenue, SW 67th Street, SW 109th Court, SW 65th Place, SW 108th Avenue, and SW 66th Place for a total distance of 7525 feet with 25 homes.
Comm. Rooks moved to place on the paving list. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
LANDFILL
Mr. Wayne Hardee presented the Florida Department of Corrections Interagency/Public Works Agreement to allow inmates at the Levy Forestry Camp to work at the Recycling Plant. Comm. Davis moved to approve the agreement. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
SHERIFF
Sheriff Ted Glass requested the transfer of $40,000.00 from the contingency fund to be applied to the Sheriff’s General Budget. Comm. Rooks moved to approve the request for transfer of funds. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
Sheriff Glass presented the Projected Generated Income Agreement with the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) for approval. Sheriff Glass explained this report reflected the Task Force Funds generated for this quarter were $7,770.88. Comm. Rooks moved to approve the agreement. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Mr. Fred Rummage read for the record a letter received from Richard A. Zyvoloski, Jr., Vice Chairman, FEPA Certification Commission congratulating Mrs. Paula Lane, Director of the Levy County Emergency Management Services for earning the designation of Florida Professional Emergency Manager (FPEM).
GRANTS
Mrs. McQueen said the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application will be monitored on August 8, 2000.
SHIP
Mrs. McQueen said the audit of the SHIP program by the state housing corporation will be done on August 23 and 24, 2000.
Mrs. McQueen said the two (2) remaining homes which were built through the Construction Demonstration Project have prospective purchasers if the price of the homes can be reduced and allow an increase in the SHIP purchase assistance and repair allocation. Mrs. McQueen explained she was recommending this action on a one (1) time basis and it complied with state requirements. Mrs. McQueen said the following breakdown was recommended:
Three Bedroom -
$45,000 original price
- 5,000 reduced to sell
$40,000 current sales price
-11,000 down payment (reserve $1,500 for closing costs) for a total of $12,500 SHIP assistance, $29,000 loan amount.
Two Bedroom -
$30,000 original price
- 2,000 reduced to sell
$28,000 current sales price
-13,500 down payment (reserve $1,500 for closing costs) for a total of $15,000 SHIP assistance, $14,500 loan amount.
Mrs. McQueen said there are two (2) prospective buyers for the homes if this recommendation is accepted. Comm. Davis moved to reduce the sales price of the homes and to allow an increase in the allocation of SHIP funds for purchase assistance and rehabilitation as recommended. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
BUDGET
Mr. McKoy said he has received the Certification and Values from the Property Appraiser’s Office and recommends scheduling a meeting on Wednesday, July 26, 2000 at 10:00 a.m. for the presentation of the budget. Comm. Davis moved to have a meeting on Wednesday, July 26, 2000 at 10:00 a.m. for presentation of the budget. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
Mr. McKoy said an amendment to the budget for the County Agent for the purchase of a van is needed. Mr. McKoy said the budget allocated $20,000.00 for the purchase of a van and the bid amount exceeded that by $2,600.00. Mr. McKoy said a line item transfer of $2,600.00 from the contingency fund to the equipment fund was needed. Comm. Rooks moved to approve the budget amendment for the County Agent. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
Mr. McKoy said the bill presented for the van exceeded the bid amount by $366.00 for the addition of a CD player installed in the van. Mr. McKoy said Mr. Albert Fuller, explained the CD player was to enhance group travel when transporting children by allowing the van driver control of what music is played which will enhance safety for the group. Comm. Davis moved to approve payment of the $366.00 for a CD player in the van used by the county agent to transport 4-H groups. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED. Comm. Foley said a reminder needs to be sent advising bids may not be changed once they are accepted and approved by Board action.
RESOLUTIONS
Mr. Greg Beauchamp presented a resolution acknowledging the Memorandum of Understanding with the owners of Phase II and Phase III of Devil’s Hammockallowing the County to limit access to the property known as Devil’s Hammock and to commence construction of certain roadways and other infrastructure on the property. Mr. Beauchamp said the resolution allows the posting of "No Trespassing" signs by designated departments. Comm. Davis moved to approve the resolution. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS
Mr. Beauchamp presented the contract and verification of bonding from White Construction Company, Inc. for the road construction project on LCR 347. Comm. Rooks moved to approve the contract and execute the documents for the road construction project. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
APPOINTMENTS
Mr. Beauchamp said a request has been received C. Kaye Brower to be approved for the conflict attorney list. Comm. Rooks moved to approve C. Kaye Brower to the conflict attorney list. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS
Mr. Beauchamp presented a settlement agreement with J. P. and Janet Lorie to settle a dispute concerning the right to develop lots which are already platted and with access provided in accordance with Chapter 79, Article 5, Paragraph F, of the Levy County Development Regulations. Comm. Davis moved to approve the settlement agreement. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
UNION
Mr. Beauchamp said notice has been received that the employees in Emergency Medical Services, including the paramedics are considering leaving Northeast Florida Public Employees Local #630 and joining with the International Union of Firefighters. Mr. Beauchamp said there are administrative actions to be taken before any further decisions are made.
COUNTY PROPERTY
Comm. Yearty said the permits have been received from Suwannee River Water Management District to provide crossings of the Wacassassa River in the Devil’s Hammock to allow access to the other property for fire fighting and land management. Comm. Yeartysaid the total cost for construction including the soil separation and filtration is $4,484.25. Comm. Yearty moved to approve construction of a crossing over the Wacassassa River in the Devil’s Hammock while weather conditions permit. Comm. Davis seconded. Chairman Dean said there is not any funds budgeted in Parks and Recreation and a determination needs to be made for funding and the MOTION CARRIED.
BUILDING AND GROUNDS
Comm. Yearty said the State Attorney’s Office and Judge Maurice V. Guinta have advised the additional space recently allocated needs to be increased for personnel including the court reporter currently housed in the basement of the court house. Comm. Yearty said the Space Committee is recommending allocating additional space in the office area recently vacated by the Development and Planning Departments and only retaining the area from the counter forward for other space needs. Comm. Yearty moved to provide the additional space to the State’s Attorney Office and to construct a wall to divide the space. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
GRANTS
Mrs. McQueen said the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) has requested a revision of the current Procurement Policies and Procedures for Community Development Block Grant Programs and Projects. Mrs. McQueen said they have requested the following amendments:
1. The advertising must allow 12 days from the first advertisement for the receiving and opening of bids or proposals;
2. DCA concurrence is required for all non-competitive procurement if a contract will exceed $25,000.00;
3. Revising the sample ranking form for awarding bids to contractors to reflect their ability to become familiar with local conditions and needs.
Comm. Rooks moved to approve the changes to the current procurement Policies and Procedures for Community Development Block Grant Programs and Projects. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE MEETING ADJOURNED.
Wilbur Dean, Board Chairman
ATTEST:
Douglas M. McKoy, Clerk of Court