REGULAR MEETING

LEVY COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

May 21, 2002

 The Regular Meeting of the Board of Levy County Commissioners was held on May 21, 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
Assistant County Administrator - Fred Moody

 

 The Chairman called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m..  The invocation was given by Mr. Justin Watson 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:   35237 - 35440

 

GENERAL FUND                                     $283,717.52

ROAD & BRIDGE FUND                             80,900.42

LOCAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE               11,250.00

LIBRARY FUND                                               2,968.20

MEDIATION                                                            50.00

FINE & FORFEITURE FUND                       27,885.85

E911 COMMUNICATIONS                                  60.64

LANDFILL & RECYCLING                           65,456.91

COURT FACILITIES                                           147.60

FLORIDA POWER GRANT FUND               2,331.97

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE          15,584.45

FIRE CONTROL                                             24,617.00

EMS GRANT                                                  15,229.27

ADD REV BOND DEBT SERVICES               875.00

UTILITIES FUND                                                 381.12

 

TOTAL                                                        $531,455.95

 

MINUTES

Comm. Stevens moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of May 7, 2002.  Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

BIDS

Mrs. Jacqueline Martin opened the following bid(s) received for the Recycling Department:

    White Ford - 2002 cab and chassis, one (1) ton truck with a trade-in of a 1990 Dodge Pickup $23, 464.00

 

Mrs. Martin advised no other bids were received. Chairman Parker requested Comm. Stevens, Mr. Fred Moody, Mr. Wayne Hardee and Mr. Benny Jerrels review the bid to determine if it met bid specifications.

AUDIT

Mrs. Martha Garcia-Baker presented the 2000 - 2001 Fiscal Year Audit report for the county as a whole. Mrs. Garcia-Baker said the audit received an unqualified opinion, the highest level an auditor can afford on the audit report.  Mrs. Garcia-Baker explained the audit and recommended long term policy planning for fund balancing, long range planning for road paving and road construction, establishing a policy to build reserves in the General Fund for emergencies and budget shortfalls and monitoring  expenditures.

Chairman Parker explained long range planning and preparation of a road policy with a five (5) year master plan is being discussed for implementation.

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES

Mrs. Garcia-Baker acknowledged Emergency Medical Services Appreciation Week and the services provided by the employees.

SHERIFF

Lt. Shaun Mullins said the Juvenile Justice Council was recognizing Ms. Aymee Abramovitz for her contributions  to the community. Lt. Mullins presented Ms. Abramovitz with a $50.00 savings bond.

Lt. Mullins said the Juvenile Justice Council was also recognizing Meagan Marshall  as the second recipient for her contributions to the community.

AGENCIES

Mr. Philip Geist, Area Director, of the Small Business Development Center explained Mr. Gil Levy had been recognized by the North Florida District and state-wide for his financial services and dedication to the development of small businesses.

Ms. Lalla Sheeley said Mr. Gil Levy of Perkins State Bank, Williston, was recognized as Financial Services Advocate of the year and they wanted to publicly honor Mr. Levy for his dedication to the community.

Mr. Gil Levy said the vision of the Board of County Commissioners recognizing the importance of small businesses benefits the community with the cooperation private industry and government.

Chairman Parker congratulated Mr. Levy on the recognition he has received from the U. S. Small Business Administration.

MUNICIPALITIES

Mr. Roy Sills, Vice Mayor of Cedar Key said the city was requesting permission to use the George T. Lewis Airport for the display of fireworks on July 4, 2002.  Mr. Sills explained the crowds at the city park have increased and they are trying to relocate the site for the fireworks display.

Mr. Greg Beauchamp explained there is a burn ban due to the severe drought conditions  and also a liability exposure if the airport is closed.

Comm. Rooks said a municipality has the mechanism to hold a fireworks display even though the county has a burn ban.

Mrs. Sandy Fink inquired if the city could provide liability coverage that would hold the county harmless.

Mr. Beauchamp explained a insurance policy could be provided but in the event of a catastrophe there could be a liability exposure to the county that would not be covered.

COUNTY EMPLOYEES

Mrs. Sandy Fink said she was concerned complaints of bias may be brought as the citizen's representative on the Employee Review Committee and her public comments  on issues of concern and recommended a replacement be sought for her position.

DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

Mrs. Fink said citizens were concerned with the decision to proceed with a petition  for a barrow pit and the statement that no petitions for mining would be heard until an ordinance was adopted.  Mrs. Fink said the objection was not to the barrow pit being requested by Anderson-Columbia for the road construction on US 27 Alternate, but the affect on other petitions filed for mining uses.

Mrs. Vera Rich said it had been stated that no mining permits would be considered until the ordinance was adopted.

Comm. Foley explained the barrow pit was not mining.

Mr. Rob Corbitt explained the barrow pit is found under the mining section of the Land Development Regulations and legally he is unable to refuse any petitions submitted for consideration.

Mr. Beauchamp said a moratorium is for extraordinary circumstances and there are sufficient mechanisms to safeguard the concerns of the citizens for extensive mining operations.

Mrs. Kathy Winburn said she would review the proposed ordinance and be prepared for a workshop in June.

Chairman Parker scheduled a workshop to review the proposed ordinance for mining operations on July 2, 2002 at 6:00 p.m..

Mrs. Rich said the citizens were concerned with any actions relating to mining and Mr. Corbitt has performed his duties competently.

BIDS

Mr. Wayne Hardee said the committee  reviewed the bid received from White Ford Company and recommended accepting the bid for $23,464.00.  Comm. Stevens moved to accept the bid received from White Ford Company. Comm. Yearty seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

LANDFILLS

Mr. Hardee requested authorization to have maintenance on the  undercarriage and track on the Caterpillar D5H tractor. Mr. Hardee explained this is general maintenance and exceeds the amount allowed on the purchase order policy without Board approval. Mr. Hardee said the quote for maintenance is $15,035.53. Comm. Yearty moved to authorize the normal maintenance on the Caterpillar D5H tractor for the undercarriage and track. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SERVICES

Mr. Fred Moody said the Emergency Operations Center will be activated for the Florida Power exercise on May 29, 2002 and this is a federally graded exercise.

TAX ROLL

Mr. Moody said a request for Correction of Non-Ad Valorem Assessment has been requested on the following:

    Rayonier Woodlands, Parcel Account #02591-000-00, 0121.00 acres, N ½ of NE 1/4 & SW 1/4 of NE 1/4 & NE 1/4 of NW 1/4, less road right of way, OR Book 548, Page 619 thru 623; and

     

    Rayonier Woodlands, Parcel Account #02597-000-00, 0062.00 acres W ½ of NW 1/4. OR Book 548, Pages 619 thru 623;

     

    The property is forestry use only with no personnel stationed on the property.

 

Comm. Yearty moved to approve the Certificate of Correction of Non-Ad Valorem Assessments for the two (2) parcels owned by Rayonier Woodlands. Comm. Stevens seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

PROPERTY APPRAISER

Mr. Moody said the Property Appraiser will be holding a seminar on GIS mapping at 1:30 p.m. and has extended an invitation to anyone interested in attending.

GRANTS

Mr. Moody said the Joint Participation Agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation will be deferred to a later date.

LANDFILLS

Comm. Foley said there was concern when the Caterpillar D5H tractor is broken down for maintenance of additional repairs being needed that are not shown on the quote.  Mr. Danny Shipp said any additional repairs would be covered under the emergency procedure for Purchase Orders.

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES

Mr. Bill Beddow said the two (2) med units should be completely set up within a week.  Mr. Beddow said the single wide mobile home is being moved to Inglis/Yankeetown and the new double wide mobile home will be placed at the Bronson site.  Mr. Beddow explained the Bronson station is temporarily housed at the Emergency Operations Center and the non-emergency medical transport is located at the Williston Motor Inn at night and the Williston station during the day.

Mr. Beddow said the union was in agreement with the recommendation to purchase the Horton rescue unit after clarifying the grant funds could only be used to purchase (1) one rescue unit and any unused funds would be returned to the state.  Mr. Beddow said a review of the safety factors for patients and staff, the lifetime of the Horton unit out-weigh other less expensive units performance records and with the knowledge that a grant will not be awarded for the next several years, recommended purchasing equipment that can be remounted and meet the demands of use.

Mr. Beddow said the option to "piggy-back" with Escambia County is still available.  Mr. Beddow said the bid  specifications are being prepared with higher standards for the safety of citizens and employees and extend the lifetime of the equipment.  Comm. Yearty moved to proceed with the purchase of the Horton rescue unit and "piggy-back" the purchase with Escambia County using the state grant and matching funds.  Comm. Rooks seconded.

Mr. Beddow explained the mechanics advised the Horton unit was a well-built unit and the MOTION CARRIED.

Mr. Beddow said the quotes for the Williston station are not complete and will be placing it on the agenda for the next regular meeting.

ROAD AND BRIDGE DEPARTMENT

Mr. Justin Watson requested authorization to advertise an Invitation to Bid for three (3) half ton extended cab pickup trucks to be used by Kelly Jerrels, Jessie Durrance and Justin Watson. Comm. Stevens moved to approve the request to advertise for the Invitation to Bid for three (3) half ton extended cab pickup trucks.  Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

ROAD MAINTENANCE

Mr. Watson presented the following request for resurfacing and widening:

    LCR 553 and LCR 502, (NE 35th Street and NE 108th Avenue) resurface and widen road from 16 feet to 20 feet for community benefit.

 

Comm. Stevens moved to approve the request to widen and resurface LCR 553 and LCR 502 for a total of one and a half (1 ½) miles. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 

ROAD AND BRIDGE DEPARTMENT

Comm. Rooks said the School Board has requested additional right of way for a turning lane for an eighty (80) passenger bus from SR 24 to LCR 345. Comm. Rooks said the State of Florida, Department of Forestry has agreed to enter into an interlocal agreement that will allow the school bus to traverse the dirt road that connects SR 24 to LCR 345 if the county will widen the road.  Comm. Rooks moved to approve an agreement with the Department of Forestry and to widen the dirt road for the school bus to use for picking up students from SR 24 to LCR 345. Comm. Yearty seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

SHIP

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

    Karissa L. Buss, Epperson Heights, Lot 5, Block 4, Levy County, Section 13, Township 12 South, Range 19 East, Parcel ID #12837-000-00. 209 NE 3rd Terrace, Williston, for $11,250.00 to purchase a new home.

 

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

GRANTS

Mrs. McQueen said there has been no further information on the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).

TAX ROLL

Mr. Beauchamp said a List of Lands Available for Taxes from the Tax Deed Sale of April 29, 2002 has been submitted by Mrs. Susan Haines, Deputy Clerk.

ORDINANCES

Mr. Beauchamp presented an ordinance for A State of Emergency Order Pertaining to a Ban on the Sale, Use or Discharge of Fireworks, and the Use of Flares, Explosives, Sparklers, or Outdoor Burning Devices or Otherwise Lawful Outdoor Burning, enacted by Chairman Parker under emergency powers on May 15, 2002 to be ratified. Comm. Yearty moved to ratify the ordinance pertaining to a "burn ban" enacted by Chairman Parker on May 15, 2002.  Comm. Stevens seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

BONDS

Comm. Rooks moved to discuss a non-agenda item.  Comm. Stevens seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

Mr. Beauchamp said the resolution pertaining to the bond defeasance inadvertently was recorded as six (6) separate documents and an affidavit to clarify the record needs to be approved to be filed in recording. Comm. Yearty moved to approve the preparation of an affidavit to clarify the incorrect recording of the resolution for the bond defeasance. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

SUITS

Mrs. Renate Cannon inquired if there is any pending litigation.  Mr. Beauchamp said  the class action suit brought by Mr. William Rees is still pending in the District Court of Appeals.

APPOINTMENTS

Comm. Rooks moved to appoint Mr. Michael Biskie as the representative to the Citrus, Levy, Marion County Workforce for the private sector. Comm. Stevens seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

Comm. Foley moved to accept the verbal resignation from Mrs. Sandy Fink as the citizens representative on the Employee Review Committee and appoint Mr. Ron Grant as replacement.  Comm. Yearty seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

Comm. Foley withdrew his action for the acceptance of the resignation from Mrs. Fink and the appointment of Mr. Grant to allow for the topic to be placed on the agenda of the next regular meeting on June 4, 2002. Comm. Yearty concurred.

Comm. Stevens moved to appoint Mr. Donald Harris to the Board of Adjustment. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

COUNTY FIRE CHIEF

Comm. Stevens said Mr. Rick Lombardo had made a request to lease office space at $300.00 per month including access to a receptionist and Internet line and is recommending consideration of the monthly lease be assumed by the Board and not deducted from the Fire Districts budget. Comm. Stevens moved to proceed with  leasing office space through the Levy County Housing Development Authority for the Fire Chief at $300.00 per month pending review of the lease agreement by Mr. Beauchamp and to assume the rental amount into the Board of County Commissioner's budget.  Comm. Yearty seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 

THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE MEETING ADJOURNED.

 

                    Tony Parker, Board Chairman

ATTEST:

 

Danny J. Shipp, Clerk of Court