REGULAR MEETING

LEVY COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

August 20, 2002

 The Regular Meeting of the Board of Levy County Commissioners was held on August 20, 2002 at 6:30 p.m. in the Levy County Board of County Commissioners' meeting room, with the following Commissioners present:

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

 Also present were:

County Attorney Gregory V. Beauchamp
Clerk of Court Danny J. Shipp
County Coordinator Fred Moody

 

 The Chairman called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m..  The invocation was given by Mr. Justin Watson followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

EXPENDITURES

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

FUND                                                               AMOUNT
CHECK NUMBERS:     66501 - 66682

 

GENERAL FUND                                     $441,248.33

ROAD & BRIDGE                                        149,622.60

LOCAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE               10,071.72

LIBRARY FUND                                               8,398.44

PERMANENT MOSQUITO CONTROL         1,132.73

FINE & FORFEITURE                                  24,088.99

LANDFILL FUND                                          91,373.86

FLORIDA POWER GRANT FUND               1,178.94

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE          47,760.34

FIRE CONTROL FUND                                  3,633.25

DRUG TASK FORCE                                        250.00

JUVENILE JUSTICE                                     10,000.00

ADDITIONAL REVENUE BOND DEBT 1,000,000.00

UTILITIES FUND                                                 667.95

 

TOTAL                                                    $1,789,427.15

 

MINUTES

Comm. Yearty moved to adopt the minutes of the regular meetings of the Board of County Commissioners held on July 16, 2002 and August 6, 2002.  Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

Comm. Yearty moved to adopt the minutes of the Board of County Commissioners Budget Workshops held on July 23, 2002 and July 30, 2002.   Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

MOSQUITO CONTROL

Ms. Jacqueline Martin presented the following bids for a full size one-half ton regular cab, pickup:

    Scoggins Chevrolet, Olds                             $14,600.00

    White Ford                                                         $13,806.60

Mr. Fred Moody explained that Board Office employees were in a meeting and the secretary had left the Board Office to go to the Clerk's Office to clock in the bid from Scoggins when the bid was received from White Ford.  Mr. Moody said the bid was received in the office by 9:00 a.m. but was not clocked in until after 9:00 a.m.. 

Chairman Parker requested  Comm. Stevens, Mr. Kelly Jerrels, and Mr. Moody to review the bids and return a recommendation to the Board.

COURT ADMINISTRATION

Ms. Jan Chesser, Deputy Court Administrator, made a request for space for the Guardian Ad Litem program.   Ms. Chesser explained that the State of Florida would provide furniture, computers, and personnel and the county is being requested to provide office space, telephone lines, and an Internet  connection.  Ms. Chesser said office space is available in the building owned by Dr. Wilfredo Aqui located at 295 S. Court Street, Bronson, at a cost of $450.00 a month.

Comm. Yearty moved to  rent the space from Dr. Aqui for $450.00 per month for the Guardian Ad Litem Program.   Comm. Stevens seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

ROADS, COUNTY

Ms. Mae Munden asked the Board to repair NE 95th Street because she is afraid for the school buses that use the road.   Chairman Parker advised NE 95th Street is included for discussion on the agenda.

MISCELLANEOUS

Mr. Moody read a letter from Helen F. Koehler, President of Goethe Trail, Inc..  Mr. Moody explained Ms. Koehler is requesting permission to hold the Goethe Challenge Endurance Ride on her property located at 1950 SE 111th Court, in Steeplechase Farms, Morriston, which is an Agricultural/Rural Residential (A/RR) zone.   Mr. Moody said the event is scheduled for December 13 through 15, 2002 and the on-going construction in the Goethe State Forest prohibits the use of that facility for the function.

Comm. Yearty moved to allow the Goethe Challenge Endurance Ride on Helen F. Koehler's property.  Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

LAND FILL

Ms. Martin said the Invitation to Bids needs to be advertised for leachate hauling services.   Comm. Stevens moved to advertise the Invitation to Bids.   Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

PLANNING

Ms. Kathy Winburn, Planning Director, presented a request for approval of an interlocal agreement between Levy County and the Suwannee River Water Management District for administration of a FRDAP grant.

Comm. Yearty moved to approve the interlocal agreement with Suwannee River Water Management District.  Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS

Ms. Connie Asbell, Supervisor of Elections, presented the redistricting for voting precincts within the county.  Ms. Asbell explained the number of precincts will remain the same but the boundary lines have been changed. Ms. Asbell said  redistricting has resulted in Levy County being divided between two (2) Congressional districts, two (2) Senatorial districts, and three (3) Representative districts.

Comm. Yearty moved to approve the new precinct lines.  Comm. Stevens seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

ROAD MAINTENANCE

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

    SE 123RD Street, Bonable Acres, two (2) loads of rock and grading at an estimated cost of $600.00.

 

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

    SE 58th Place, Whispering Pines Unit 2, two (2) loads of rock and grading for an estimated cost of $600.00.

 

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

    SE 194th Street, Old Cannon Farmsites, one (1) hour of grading only for an estimated cost of $67.00.

 

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

    SE 110th Avenue, Tuckaho Subdivision, one (1) hour grading only for an estimated cost of $67.00.

 

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

    NE 64th Place and NE 122nd Avenue , Oak Ridge Estates, seven (7) loads of rock and grading for an estimated cost of $2,100.00.

 

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

    NE 65th Lane, Oak Ridge Estates, five (5) loads of rock and grading for an estimated cost of $1,500.00.

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

    NE 95th Street, University Estates, two (2) loads of rock and grading for an estimated cost of $600.00.

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

    NE 90th Street, University Estates, five (5) loads of rock and grading for an estimated cost of $1,500.00.

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

    NE 113th Avenue, Forest Park II, two (2) hours grade only for an estimated cost of $134.00.

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

ROADS, COUNTY

Mr. Watson presented a request to the Board to address a non-agenda item.  Comm. Rooks  moved to discuss a non-agenda item.  Comm. Yearty seconded and the MOTION CARRIED

Mrs. Sue Suggs, Gilchrist County Board of County Commissioners explained Gilchrist County Road Department would be paving the stretch of road that serves Shady Grove Primitive Baptist Church which comes out onto LCR 130 (NW 172nd Lane) in Levy County. Mrs. Suggs said they were asking for the services of Levy County's Barber-Green operator, Mr. James Horne, and to borrow a spreader truck and a tack truck. Mrs. Suggs said  Gilchrist County agrees to reimburse Levy County for Mr. Horne's salary and equipment use.

Comm. Yearty moved to approve the request to assist Gilchrist County and allow them to borrow the two pieces of equipment and Mr. Horne.   Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

ZONING

Mr. Rob Corbitt presented the following request for a Hardship Variance:

    Petition No.: HA.VA. 7-02 -- Jeff Hardee representing Clara Sheperd, petitioning the Board for a Hardship Variance to allow a second dwelling in order to care for her mother (Bertha O. Shinholster), on a parcel of land located in the South 330' of the North 1313.46' of the SE 1/4 lying East of Rosewood Park Unit 2, in Section 19, Township 14S, Range 14E, in Levy County.   Said parcel contains 7.46 acres.

 

Chairman Parker requested any public opposition or support for the request and none was given.

Comm. Rooks moved to approve the request for a Hardship Variance.  Comm. Stevens seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

MISCELLANEOUS

Ms. Sandy Fink asked Mr. Greg Beauchamp whether the ordinance which would take away decision making authority on zoning exceptions from the Board of Adjustment had been passed by the Board.   Mr. Beauchamp said the ordinance had been approved.

GRANTS

Ms. Carol McQueen, SHIP Coordinator, presented the Board with the ranking list of engineering firms for the CDBG as determined by the Ranking Committee. Ms. McQueen said the Ranking Committee ranked Mittauer & Associates as No. 1; Berrryman & Henigar as No. 2; and Mills Engineering Co. as No. 3. 

Comm. Stevens moved to proceed with negotiations with the Mittauer & Associates.   Comm. Yearty second and the MOTION CARRIED.

SHIP

Ms. McQueen requested a motion on a non-agenda item.   Comm. Rooks moved to hear the non-agenda item. Comm. Stevens seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

Ms. McQueen presented a subordination agreement for a SHIP Rehabilitation property located at 10171 NW 38th Avenue, Chiefland in which the owner of record, Pearlie Mae Young is refinancing the first mortgage with Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Inc. and complies with the subordination policy. 

Comm. Yearty moved to accept the Subordination Agreement.  Comm. Stevens seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

Ms. McQueen said the annual reports required to be filed in September demonstrating the activities of Levy County's SHIP program will be ready for  review by the end of August.

BUDGET

Ms. Sheila Rees  presented a request for a budget amendment requesting creating a Capital Projects Fund and the equity from the Debt Service Fund, which currently totals $2,101,553.10, be transferred into that account.

Comm. Yearty moved to create a Capital Projects Fund and transfer the equity from the Debt Service Fund into the account.   Comm. Stevens seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

BIDS

Mr. Moody advised the Board that White Ford presented the lowest bid for the truck for Mosquito Control at a bid price of $13,806.60.  Comm. Yearty moved to accept the bid from White Ford.  Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

MISCELLANEOUS

Ms. Juanita Melchior of the Levy County Christian Coalition presented the Board with a plaque which reads "IN GOD WE TRUST."   Ms. Melchior said the Coalition also would like to present similar plaques to all County Departments.

COUNTY FIRE CHIEF

Fire Chief Rick Lombardo presented the Board with a request for funds to stabilize fire service in Levy County.   Mr. Lombardo said the proposal would mean a 69% increase in the current fire assessment but would establish an annual base pay, an annual allotment for a maintenance/replacement program and purchase of five (5) new fire apparatus.  

Comm. Stevens asked if the special assessment for the current year could be increased to meet the needs of the local fire departments.   Mr. Beauchamp stated that the County is not in a position to legally increase the assessment in this budget year and that the master ordinance has not gone through the required procedure.

Mr. Wayne Hyslam of the Otter Creek Fire Department asked if fire trucks could be purchased with funds from the Capital Project Fund. Ms. Rees explained those funds would be used for construction projects.

Mr. Toby White of the Gulf Hammock Fire Department, said if his department was asked to assist in paying back a loan and the fire assessment was not increased, his department could not do it because of their expenses.

Mr. Vic Scott, Chairman of the Levy County Fire Advisory Board and a member of the Otter Creek Fire Department asked if the funds turned back from last year would be available to be used as collateral for a loan.  

Mr. Paul Black suggested that the County institute a ½ cent sales tax on gasoline to cover the costs associated with the Sheriff and Fire Departments.  Comm. Foley stated that in the past sales tax funds were used strictly for the Road Department.

Comm. Parker suggested that Chief Lombardo meet with Mr. Danny Shipp and Mr. Moody and review the budget request.   Chairman Parker asked that Mr. Ron McQueen from Gilchrist County, to participate since he has recently been involved in a similar situation with both Gilchrist and Dixie Counties.

Comm. Rooks asked all the members of the various County Fire Departments to stand and be recognized.

LANDFILL

Mr. Beauchamp said HAL Industries has sold a portion of their business to Waste Pro and a contract is currently being negotiate with Waste Pro.

ORDINANCES

Mr. Beauchamp advised that the ordinance providing for increasing the number of voting members of the Planning Commission from five to seven members has been tabled until after the budget is approved.

SALARY AND WAGES

Comm. Foley made the following Personnel recommendations:

    Thomas M. Johnson, for a salary increase from $12.8701 hourly, $26,769.81 annually to $13.1201 per hour, $27,289.81 annually, for successfully passing the Level II Code Enforcement Examination, effective July 15, 2002.

 

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

VETERANS OFFICE

Comm. Rooks announced that the Major Stroupe will coordinate a ceremony to commemorate the September 11, 2001 tragedy.

MISCELLANEOUS

Comm. Rooks thanked everyone who came out for the first evening meeting of the Board of County Commissioners.

 

THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE MEETING ADJOURNED.

 

                         Tony Parker, Board Chairman

ATTEST:

 

Danny J. Shipp, Clerk of Court