REGULAR MEETING

LEVY COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

December 4,  2001

 The Regular Meeting of the Board of Levy County Commissioners was held on December 4, 2001  at 9:00 a.m. in the Levy County Board of County Commissioners’ meeting room, with the following Commissioners present:

Chairman Sammy Yearty
Vice Chairman  Don Foley
Comm. Danny Stevens
Comm. Tony Parker
Comm. Lilly Rooks

 

 Also present were:

County Attorney - Gregory V. Beauchamp
Clerk of Court - Danny J. Shipp

 

 The Chairman called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m..  The invocation was given by Comm. Foley followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

EXPENDITURES

 Comm. Stevens moved to approve the following expenditures presented for payment. Comm. Foley  seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

FUND                                                               AMOUNT
CHECK NUMBERS:   32935-33149

 

GENERAL FUND                                       201,105.45

ROAD & BRIDGE FUND                             37,370.60

LOCAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE                 2,962.00

LIBRARY FUND                                             10,818.17

MEDIATION FUND                                             400.00

FINE & FORFEITURE FUND                       37,998.49

LANDFILL & RECYCLING                           62,008.82

COURT FACILITIES                                           111.70

FLORIDA POWER GRANT FUND                 8,725.67

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE          15,960.32

FIRE CONTROL                                             20,439.75

UTILITIES FUND                                                 136.48

 

TOTAL                                                      $398,037.45

 

 MINUTES

Comm. Stevens moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of November 20, 2001.  Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

BIDS

Ms. Heather Alexander presented the following bid(s) for the Advanced Digital Cutting System for Computerized Traffic Sign Graphics.

    Advanced Digital Cutting Systems $28,128.00

    ADCS, Inc.

 

Chairman Yearty appointed Comm. Parker, Mr. Justin Watson, Mr. Kelly Jerrells and Mrs. Donna Shipp to review the bid to determine if it meets the required specifications.

MISCELLANEOUS

Mr. C. W. Gilbert requested to postpone his presentation as scheduled on the agenda.

PARKS AND RECREATION

Comm. Stevens moved to entertain a presentation from Mr. Lannie Cardona. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

Mr. Lannie Cardona presented a pamphlet developed by the Tourist Development Board funded by the $17,000.00 grant from VisitFlorida.  Mr. Cardona said 70,000 copies have been printed and it will be distributed throughout Levy, Dixie and Gilchrist counties and focuses on the clear water wilderness.

ROADS, COUNTY

Mr. Tom Clark, a resident of King B Ranchettes, Addition No. 1, said the residents had requested their road to be paved and were inquiring on the status. Mr. Clark said the residents had indicated they would be willing to assist in funding the project but were unable to fund $38,000.00.

Mr. Greg Beauchamp explained the ordinance relating to assessments of the MSTU’s, MSBU’s which includes road maintenance, and fire and ambulance is being reviewed and a proposed ordinance has been drafted with  public workshops to be scheduled.

Mr. Clark explained the residents are astronomers and the dust from the road can damage their expensive equipment.

ZONING

Mrs. Marie Hunter explained she wanted to place an additional mobile home on her property to be used as a guest house and had been advised she was not able to do this on her 40 acres.  Mrs. Hunter said a grandson already has a double-wide mobile home on the property and she wanted to have an additional home placed on the property.

Mr. Rob Corbitt said a guest house may not have separate electricity and had explained to Mrs. Hunter the options available.

Chairman Yearty requested Mr. Fred Moody meet with Mrs. Hunter and explain the zoning process.

MUNICIPALITIES

Mr. Earl Cannon said the City of Chiefland appreciated the promptness in paving Park Avenue and its completion coinciding with the opening of the new Post Office.

 

PARKS AND RECREATION

Mr. James Willis requested Blue Springs Park be open for at least two (2) days a week. Chairman Yearty said the park is open during the summer season for swimming and currently there is not enough usage at Blue Springs Park or Henry Beck Park to justify a full time employee.  Chairman Yearty said a caretaker is located on the grounds  but does  not work year round and the facility is available for family reunions or other functions with proper arrangements.   Chairman Yearty recommended contacting Mr. Wayne Hardee to arrange visits to the park during the off season.

Mr. Moody said the park hours were extended from April 1st through September 30th.

COUNTY PROPERTY

Mr. Fred Moody presented the following requests for purchase of escheated properties at a minimum bid amount of $200.00.

W & J Development -

    Parcel #03563-016 - leg 1.25 acres, E ½ of W 1/4 of SE 1/4 of NW 1/4, OR Book 169, Page 798.

Wayne Martin -

    Parcel #06897-033

    Parcel #06897-040

    Parcel #06884-020

    Parcel #06884-037

    Parcel #06887-000

    Parcel #06887-058

Gloria Rivers -

    Parcel #06865-035 - Rainbow Lakes Estates, Blk 28, Lot 43.

    Parcel #06865-045 - Rainbow Lakes Estates, Blk 28, Lot 63, OR Book 198, Page 745.

    Parcel #06870-009 - Rainbow Lakes Estates, Blk 29, Lot 17.

    Parcel #06870-019 - Rainbow Lakes Estates, Blk 29, Lot 41.

    Parcel #06877-011 - Rainbow Lakes Estates, Blk 30, Lot 54.

    Parcel #06880-003 - Rainbow Lakes Estates, Blk 31, Lot 3, OR Book 77, Page 739.

    Parcel #06884-033 - Rainbow Lakes Estates, Blk 32, Lot 41.

    Parcel #06884-043 - Rainbow Lakes Estates, Blk 32, Lot 62.

    Parcel #06884-061 - Rainbow Lakes Estates, Blk 32, Lot 38, OR Book 87, Page 272.

    Parcel #06887-024 - Rainbow Lakes Estates, Blk 33, Lot 51, OR Book 304, Page 633.

    Parcel #06891-052 - Rainbow Lakes Estates, Blk 35, Lot 27.

    Parcel #06906-007 - Rainbow Lakes Estates, Blk 40, Lot 13.

 

Comm. Stevens moved to approve the requests to purchase the escheated properties at $200.00 per parcel. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS

Mr. Moody presented the renewal contract with Meridian Behavioral Healthcare, Inc. to provide general, mental health and Baker Act services for an annual amount of $57,261.00.  Mr. Moody said the contract is effective October 1, 2001 to September 30, 2002 and was reviewed by Major Bobby McCallum, Mrs. Marjorie Davis and Mr. Moody. Comm. Stevens moved to approve the contract with Meridian Behavioral Healthcare, Inc. and authorize the chairman to sign the contract.  Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

Ms. Heather Alexander presented the service agreement with Withlacoochee Regional Planning Council effective October 1, 2001 to September 30, 2002 to provide professional planning services. Comm. Stevens moved to approve the contract with Withlacoochee Regional Planning Council.  Comm. Parker seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

Ms. Alexander presented the interlocal agreements  for providing fire and ambulance services and providing a landfill with means of collection and disposal of garbage with the City of Williston, the Town of Otter Creek, City of Fanning Springs, Town of Inglis, Town of Bronson, Town of Yankeetown and the City of Cedar Key. Comm. Rooks moved to approve the interlocal agreements.  Comm. Stevens seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

Ms. Alexander presented the interlocal agreement to perform building code enforcement services for the Town of Yankeetown.  Comm. Parker moved to approve the interlocal agreement. Comm. Stevens seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

Mr. Rob Corbitt presented a proposed ordinance for inclusion in the Code of Ordinances to provide the mapping of wind speed lines and a wind-borne debris region for compliance with legislation being proposed to amended  the State Building Code. Mr. Corbitt explained the ordinance would impact building within the areas of the wind borne debris region.  Mr. Corbitt said a public hearing needs to be scheduled for review and consideration of the proposed ordinance.  Mr. Greg Beauchamp recommended scheduling the public hearing for Tuesday, January 8, 2002 at 10:30 a.m. to allow for sufficient advertising.  Comm. Rooks moved to schedule the public hearing on Tuesday, January 8, 2002 at 10:30 a.m..  Comm. Stevens seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

Mrs. Sandy Fink inquired if there would be any affect to the insurance rates.  Mr. Corbitt said there did not appear to be any affect to the current ratings.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SERVICES

Ms. Paula Edwards said a NOAA Weather Radio Transmitter has been installed and will allow the City of Cedar Key to receive the early watches and warnings.

Ms. Edwards requested authorization to initiate a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program to train any interested citizen for disaster response and light search and rescue. Ms. Edwards explained the program would be voluntary and there would not be a cost to present the program. Comm. Rooks moved to approve the CERT program. Comm. Parker seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

COUNTY FIRE CHIEF

Mr. Mark Moore presented fire protection agreements from the City of Chiefland, the Town of Yankeetown, and the City of Cedar Key. Mr. Moore said condition #7 has been a concern for the volunteer fire departments and a clarification could be added indicating the governing body would ensure compliance with local, state and federal regulations. Mr. Moore explained Morriston-Montbrook Volunteer Fire Department altered the agreement and did not recommend approving the contract until the conditions are clarified. Mr. Beauchamp said the contracts could be amended to clarify the wording for the fire departments, but recommended keeping the contracts uniform and preparing the renewal contracts with the changes for 2002-2003.  Comm. Stevens moved to approve the fire protection agreements from the City of Chiefland, the Town of Yankeetown and the City of Cedar Key. Comm. Parker seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

Mr. Moore requested authorization to utilize $2,000.00 from the general fund to provide a certified Evac training course to allow the firefighters to meet new requirements. Comm. Stevens moved to authorize the transfer of $2,000.00 from the general fund for the training course. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

LIBRARY

Mr. Tom Reitz said the interlocal agreements with the Town of Bronson, the City of Cedar Key and the City of Chiefland have been received and the agreements with the City of Williston and the Town of Inglis/Town of Yankeetown should be received shortly. Mr. Reitz requested approval of all of the agreements and authorize the chairman to sign the contracts when they are all received.  Comm. Comm. Rooks moved to approve the interlocal agreements for the library and authorize the chairman to sign the agreements as they are received. Comm. Parker seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

Mr. Reitz advised Library Advisory Board member Ms. Marlea Merriman has moved from Chiefland to Yankeetown and recommended her appointment to the Library Advisory Board to fill the vacancy in Yankeetown. Mr. Reitz said they will be obtaining recommendations for the vacancy in Chiefland.  Comm. Rooks moved to approve the appointment of Ms. Marlea Merriman. Comm. Parker seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

Mr. Reitz reported the E-rate checks had been received from BellSouth and Sprint, the renewal application for state aid has been submitted and the automation grant is completed.

ROAD MAINTENANCE

Mr. Justin Watson made the following requests for placement on the paving list:

    LCR 441, known as NW 27th Place in Whitteds Mobile Home Estates, for a distance of 3,915', with 25' feet of right-of-way and 9 houses.  Traffic count for two (2) days on November 19 to November 21, 2001 at the entrance from C-345 a total of 440 trips.

 

Comm. Rooks moved to place LCR 441, known as NW 27th Place on the paving list. Comm. Stevens seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

    LCR 519, known as SE 196th Avenue, SE 73rd Lane and SE 195th Court in Happy Acres subdivision, for a distance of 0.61 mile, 20 houses, 50' right-of-way.

 

Mr. Watson explained Charles and Mary Jackson had requested the paving of the road.  Comm. Stevens moved to place LCR 519 on the paving list. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

Mr. Watson recommended securing a performance bond and considering a permitting fee for the Florida Gas Transmission Company project that will be  crossing county roads to install a feeder line. Mr. Watson said Gilchrist county waives the fee and we do not have a fee established.  Mr. Watson also recommending the line be placed 4' below the road way surface.  Comm. Stevens said the line should be at the same depth as the line it parallels.  Comm. Stevens said franchise fees have not been established and can’t be charged. Comm. Rooks moved to request a performance bond of $100,000.00 from Florida Gas Transmission Company for the proposed project.  Comm. Stevens seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

SHIP

Mrs. Carol McQueen presented a Satisfaction of Mortgage from Timothy E. Horne and Tina L. Horne satisfying their mortgage from SHIP funds. Comm. Rooks moved to approve the Satisfaction of Mortgage.  Comm. Stevens seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

Mrs. McQueen presented a Subordination of Second Mortgage to New Mortgage agreement for Thomas A. Claveria and Christine C. Claveria.  Mrs. McQueen said the request meets the established policy allowing for a reduction in the interest rate and lower payments. Comm. Stevens moved to approve the subordination agreement subject to Mr. Beauchamp’s review of the document.  Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

MISCELLANEOUS

Mrs. McQueen said the Fanning Springs Festival of Lights and boat parade would begin Saturday, December 8, 2001 at 9:00 a.m. with the boat parade at 7:30 p.m.

APPOINTMENTS

Comm. Rooks moved to appoint Mr. Billy Hinote to the Construction Licensing Board. Comm. Stevens seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

Comm. Rooks moved to re-appoint Mrs. Susan Haines to the Planning Commission.  Comm. Stevens seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

COMMISSIONERS

Comm. Rooks said the legislature held a vote on shifting nursing home and hospital inpatient Medicaid costs to the counties during the special session and it was narrowly defeated.  Comm. Rooks commended Representative Will Kendrick for his assistance in defeating this action and encouraged contacting  the state representatives to oppose this action and the immense financial  impact it would have on all counties.

ROAD AND BRIDGE DEPARTMENT

Comm. Foley said the $100,000.00 performance bond required for the Florida Gas Transmission Company would not be sufficient if there was extensive property damage or injuries and recommended proof of liability coverage be provided. Mr. Beauchamp explained the proof of liability insurance coverage could be provided with the performance bond.

CLERK OF COURT/TO BOARD

Mr. Danny Shipp explained the newspaper article concerning to the amount written off from the county inventory did not reflect the items approved to be removed from the inventory list were items that were purchase as far back as the 1960's, and items purchased for under $500.00. Mr. Shipp said the intent of the inventory was to have a starting point and the newspaper article indicating a quarter of million dollar write-off was misleading with a majority of the items being accounted for through obsolescence or previously disposed of and not accounted for on the county inventory.  Mr. Shipp explained Florida Statutes require items valued $750.00 or more  with at least a one (1) year life expectancy to be retained on an inventory and meet audit requirements.

ROAD MAINTENANCE

Mrs. Mary Jackson said the action approving the paving of SE 196th Avenue was appreciated and requested consideration of commencing the paving project while the road construction equipment was in the vicinity paving adjacent roads. Comm. Rooks moved to pave LCR 519, consisting of SE 196th Avenue, SE 73rd Lane and SE 195th Court while the paving equipment is on other road paving projects in the area. Comm. Stevens seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

ROAD AND BRIDGE DEPARTMENT

Chairman Yearty called the public workshop to order at 1:00 p.m. for the discussion of a proposed County Road Maintenance System Guidelines.

Comm. Rooks expressed concerns on secondary subdivisions; how assessments would affect landowners in MSTU’s or MSBU’s; and will assessments be per parcel or per foot.

Mr. Rob Corbitt explained the policy was attempting to address future paving projects and how funding would be developed, establish a 5-year work  plan, establish a minimum acceptable right-of-way at 40 feet with preference established for a 60 feet right-of-way, and a criteria for maintenance on a one time basis. Mr. Corbitt said the special assessments would need to be addressed through the ordinance currently being  reviewed by Mr. VanAssendorf concerning all special assessments.

Comm. Stevens said a Road Paving policy needed to be established relating to house counts, and traffic counts and recommended the policy be separated to allow acceptance of portions of the proposed guidelines and  further review of other proposals.

Comm. Foley said the committee primarily was charged with establishing a written policy for road paving projects, relating to the density of residences, traffic counts, usage of  connector roads and institute a workable road  policy.

Mrs. Sandy Fink said she was unaware of landowners being responsible for road paving.

Chairman Yearty explained some road projects and maintenance are funded by the local gas tax and grants providing other funding sources..

Mr. Barney Cannon said the recommended policy for maintenance on a one (1) time basis would need to consider what type of vehicle impact the limerock roads are receiving when the request for maintenance is made.

Chairman Yearty recommended a review of the proposed guidelines with comments being returned to the committee for review.

Comm. Foley said some state grant funds for road paving projects are received to support new businesses locating to an area.

 

THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE MEETING ADJOURNED.

 

                         W. S. Yearty, Board Chairman

ATTEST:

 

Danny J. Shipp, Clerk of Court