REGULAR MEETING

LEVY COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

January 22, 2002

            The Regular Meeting of the Board of Levy County Commissioners was held on January 22, 2002  at 9:00 a.m. in the Levy County Board of County Commissioners’ meeting room, with the following Commissioners present:

Chairman Tony Parker
Vice Chairman  Danny Stevens
Comm.  Don Foley
Comm. Sammy Yearty
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 Mr. Danny Shipp followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

EXPENDITURES

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

FUND                                                               AMOUNT
CHECK NUMBERS:                               33534 - 33716
 

GENERAL FUND                                               $123,087.35

ROAD & BRIDGE FUND                                             5,93.86

LOCAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE                             23,000.00

LIBRARY FUND                                                       3,409.80

MEDIATION FUND                                                       400.00

FINE & FORFEITURE FUND                                   23,035.49

LANDFILL & RECYCLING                                       68,816.35

COURT FACILITIES                                                 26,011.68

FLORIDA GRANT                                                        212.98

EMERGENCY MEDICAL                                        13,407.11

FIRE CONTROL                                                     18,173.75

JUDICIAL GRANT                                                   18,210.90

JUVENILE JUSTICE                                                   499.98

UTILITIES FUND                                                       1,290.60

 

TOTAL                                                                $371,249.85

 

MINUTES

Comm. Stevens moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of January 8, 2002.  Comm. Rooks  seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 

 

MISCELLANEOUS

Mrs. Kelly Hurst said there were problems in Ocala Highlands West with possible code violations, stray animals roaming, speeding vehicles, littering on county roads and  buildings that were built without meeting county specifications.  Mrs. Hurst said there were a number of roads that needed to be repaired and enforcement of the speed limit.  Comm. Rooks recommended posting signs for the deaf children who live in the neighborhood.  Sheriff Smith said additional patrols have been posted and patrols would be increased.  Mr. Rob Corbitt advised there was a severe case that code enforcement was working on and they were pursing the most serious cases initially.  Comm. Rooks said the prisoners assigned to the county could be used to clean up the litter on right of ways.

TAX ROLL

Mr. Fred Moody presented the following Certificate of Correction(s) of Non-Ad Valorem Assessment Roll:

    Alfred A. and Dottie Oliver, 6561 N. W. 138th Place, Chiefland, amended from one (1) unit to no units on the property.  The mobile home had been moved 1 ½ years ago.  Recommendation to approve the request for correction.

Comm. Foley moved to approve the Certificate of Correction of Non-Ad Valorem Assessment.  Comm. Yearty seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

    Glenna M. Everett, dilapidate mobile home located in Withlacoochee Park, Lot 82.  The home has not been occupied for ten (10) years and is uninhabitable.

Mr. Corbitt said the current land owners have been notified that a demolition permit should be obtained to remove the unit from the property and the heirs  have requested if the dilapidate mobile home can be used by the fire department for a training class.  Comm. Yearty moved to approve the Certificate of Correction of Non-Ad Valorem Assessment.  Comm. Stevens seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

GRANTS

Mr. Moody presented the application and contract for the reimbursement from the United States Department of Commerce for the grant awarded in the amount of $87,697.00 used to purchase and prepare a survey of the Blue Springs property.  Comm. Rooks moved to approve the contract for secure reimbursement.  Comm. Stevens seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS

Mrs. Jacqueline Martin presented the interlocal agreement with the Town of Inglis for building code enforcement services.  Comm. Yearty moved to approve the agreement.  Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

ROAD AND BRIDGE DEPARTMENT

Mr. Moody explained the invoices for the 2000 to 2001 oil purchases had been clarified by the invoices. Mr. Moody said the 2001 supply purchased in October was for the fiscal year and realized a  20 percent discount instead of the nine (9) percent discount and the major portion of the inventory is still in stock.  Mr. Moody said the $90,000.00 mentioned for the purchase of motor oil in the January 8, 2002 meeting did not clarify that the purchase included motor oil, transmission oil and the other oils needed for the machinery and equipment at the Road Department.

Mr. Sammy Pruitt said he disputed the comments made by Mr. C. W. Gilbert at the January 8, 2002 meeting and advised he was not a distributor for Lubrication Engineers, Inc. and presented a letter from Mr. Randall L. Kressler, Executive Vice President[1]  Mr. Pruitt questioned the comments being made in open meetings without verification, concerning county employees and not being notified in advance to allow to allow rebuttal or challenge of the comments and on the reporting of the information by a local newspaper.

[1]Letter of 1/10/02 Lubrication Engineers, Inc.

Mr. Moody explained Mr. Gilbert was informed of the content of the invoices and the $90,000.00 was fairly accurate for the purchase of all products not just motor oil and it was an apparent  misunderstanding in terminology by Mr. Gilbert.

Comm. Stevens said the lubrication products are purchased without going through the bid process to keep the equipment maintained properly by using a lubrication program that apparently has been successful.

Mr. Pruitt said a workshop would present the benefits of the lubrication program.  Chairman Parker scheduled a workshop to discuss the lubrication program on March 5, 2002 at 1:00 p.m..

Comm. Foley said Mr. Pruitt has the knowledge and has done an outstanding job with the lubrication program to the benefit of the county.

MISCELLANEOUS

Mr. Charles Green said the commissioners and employees are performing their duties and the cost for lubrication materials is not exorbitant.

ROAD MAINTENANCE

Mr. Justin Watson presented the following request for maintenance on a one (1) time basis:

    Located in Inglis Cason Acres including Diana Street, Debra Street, Debra Avenue, Linda Street, Shearer Street, Sapp Street, Vicki Street with five (5) loads of rock and grading for an estimated cost of $1,500.00.

Comm. Yearty moved to approve the maintenance on a one (1) time basis, for only the portion located in the county.  Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

    NE 45th Street and NE 46th Street located in Williston Highlands Unit 11 for 2600 feet on each road, trim 1500 feet, five (5) loads of rock with grading, for an estimated cost of $2,000.00.

Comm. Stevens moved to approve the maintenance on a one (1) time basis.  Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

JAIL

Sheriff Smith explained conditions at the jail are becoming overcrowded and consideration needs to be given for the construction of a new pod.  Sheriff Smith explained the jail is centrally located to allow for the housing of federal inmates that would offset expenses of construction costs. Sheriff Smith said failure to construct a new pod will require the housing of local inmates in other facilities which would incur costs for their housing.  Sheriff Smith presented documentation reflecting the Average Daily Inmate Population and Bookings from October, 2000 to September, 2001 for the present jail designed to house 124 inmates[2]  Sheriff Smith recommended scheduling a workshop to discuss a new pod that could address the needs for the next 20 to 25 years.  Chairman Parker scheduled a public workshop to address the needs of the jail for Friday, February 8, 2002 at 9:00 a.m..

[2]Average Daily Inmate Population and Bookings

SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS

Mrs. Connie Asbell requested approval of a budget transfer of $12,691.01 provided for Voter Education to the budget of the Supervisor of Elections.  Mrs. Asbell explained this was a one time budget amendment from funds allocated  by the State of Florida. Comm. Stevens moved to amend the budget of the Supervisor of Elections for voter education by $12,691.01.  Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

SHIP

Mrs. Carol McQueen presented the following Deferred Payment Loan Agreement:

    Williston Highlands Golf and Country Club Estates, Block 134, Lot 3 for $20,000.00 to Kevin Barley.

Comm. Stevens moved to approve the Deferred Payment Loan Agreement.  Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

Mrs. McQueen presented a Satisfaction of Mortgage from Fred M. Lang for $5,200.00 in funds for rehabilitation to his home.  Mrs. McQueen explained the funds for the payoff had been received.  Comm. Stevens moved to approve the Satisfaction of Mortgage. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

GRANTS

Mrs. McQueen said the application process for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) should commence and the Citizens Advisory Task Force (CATF) begins the process by holding hearings and presenting a recommendation for what type of grant to apply for.  Mrs. McQueen said all members with the exception of Mr. Cliff Norris have indicated they would participate on the Citizens Advisory Task Force (CATF) and a replacement appointment was needed for Mr. Norris.

Mrs. McQueen said information has been received the requirements for the points to qualify for the CDBG application are changing and recommended taking advantage of training a WAGES person.  Mrs. McQueen explained the grants are extremely competitive and the points obtained are a very important part of the grant application.

HOUSING

Mrs. McQueen said the single family revenue bond program with the Bay County Housing Authority has not been able to obtain participation from local lenders and requested support in encouraging local lenders to participate in the program.

MISCELLANEOUS

Chairman Parker called for Mr. C. W. Gilbert to speak per his request and there was no response.

ATTORNEYS, COUNTY AND STATE

Mr. Greg Beauchamp presented the following requests for appointment to the Conflict Attorney List:

    David P. Salter and Miles Kinsell

Comm. Stevens moved to approve Mr. David P. Salter and Mr. Miles Kinsell to the Conflict Attorney List. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

PARKS AND RECREATION

Mr. Beauchamp explained a Parks and Recreation Board was appointed in the past and they have since disbanded and action is needed to official disband the original Parks and Recreation Board to clarify the record in the establishing of the Parks and Recreation Board approved by resolution at the January 8, 2002 meeting.  Comm. Stevens moved to disband the first Parks and Recreation Board.  Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

SALARY AND WAGES

Comm. Foley presented the following recommendation for a salary increase:

    Pamela L. Owens, for a pay increase from $9.6807 to $10.1817 per hour as per recommendation by Mr. Wayne Hardee, Department Head.

Comm. Foley moved to approve the salary increase.  Comm. Stevens seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

FIRE DISTRICTS

Comm. Stevens said the Fire Advisory Board had meet and recommended revising the $100,000.00 allowed in the current fiscal budget to $40,000.00 as this  would allow an approximate ten (10) percent increase in each department’s budget and would be covered if the special assessment for fire protection was increased.  Comm. Rooks said the $100,000.00 budgeted was a one time only amount and the departments would repay the funds used.  Comm. Stevens said the Fire Advisory Board sets the budgets for each department and they recommended the adjustment down to $40,000.00 and are concerned if the special assessment for fire services will be increased.

ROAD AND BRIDGE DEPARTMENT

Comm. Stevens recommended accepting the County Road Maintenance System Guidelines in sections in order to meet current concerns.  Comm. Stevens said the road paving was a concern and the established policy used in previous years apparently was not being followed.

Comm. Rooks expressed concern of the proposed policy on how the MSTU’s or MSBU’s would operate within the policy and the affect on recorded and unrecorded subdivisions including the meeting of traffic counts and resident requirements.

Chairman Parker said a request had been made to submit recommended changes to the committee and then have a workshop to review the recommendations prior to the acceptance of the policy.  Chairman Parker said the workshop would be scheduled at the February 4, 2002 meeting to allow sufficient time to submit recommendations to the committee.

MISCELLANEOUS

Mr. Lannie Cardona requested discussion on a non-agenda item.  Comm. Rooks moved to discuss the non-agenda item.  Comm. Stevens seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

Mr. Cardona recommended scheduling a workshop with the Tourist Development Board with Ms. Sara Blakley of the Florida Association of Counties to discuss the possibility of a local tourist tax.  Mr. Cardona said the information would be provided for the public’s benefit and is part of the procedure initiate placing it on the ballot.  Comm. Rooks moved to schedule a workshop to discuss the option of a local tourist tax on February 19, 2002 at 1:00 p.m..  Comm. Stevens seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

Chairman Parker explained in response to an inquiry by Mr. John King that Mr. Rob Corbitt was correlating the recommendations submitted for the Road Policy.

THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE MEETING ADJOURNED.

                                                                               

                                                                                           Tony Parker, Board Chairman

ATTEST:

 

Danny J. Shipp, Clerk of Court