SPECIAL MEETING

LEVY COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

April 4, 2002

 The Special Meeting of the Board of Levy County Commissioners was held on April 4, 2002 at 1:00 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. Sammy Yearty
Comm. Lilly Rooks
Comm.  Don Foley

 Also present were:

Clerk of Court Danny J. Shipp
Assistant County Administrator Fred Moody

Chairman Parker called the workshop to order for Capital Improvements at 9:00 a.m..

 COUNTY AGENT

Mr. Albert Fuller said the following capital improvements were needed for the County Agricultural Extension Office:

1. Land - adjacent to facility, a minium of five (5) acres, preferably 10 acres, to be used to build a pond for demonstrations for farmers and the youth participating in the 4-H program.
2. Paving of driveway and parking.
3. Fencing the perimeter of the property.
4. Bathrooms handicapped accessible, in compliance with American Disabilities Act (ADA).
5. Fenced compound for large equipment.

Mr. Fuller said if the land for the pond was purchased some assistance could be obtained from the University of Florida for construction of the pond.  Mr. Fuller explained  a pond was funded by the legislature and was vetoed by the Governor several years ago.  Mr. Fuller said the pond would be used for education in aquaculture and fishery for farmers and youth.

Mr. Fuller said when the four laning of US 27A is completed the drive way and parking lot will need to be paved.  Mr. Fuller explained currently buses have difficulty turning around in the unpaved areas and paving needs to be addressed for the convenience of people who utilize the facility.

Mr. Fuller recommended installing a chain link fence around the perimeter to deter trespassing on the property when the facility is closed.

Mr. Fuller said the bathrooms are the primary concern as a portion of the facility is leased to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and they could remove their staff at any time for the failure of the facility to meet ADA requirements.

Mr. Fuller explained if the perimeter was fenced it would resolve the need of a fenced compound for equipment.

LANDFILLS

Mr. Wayne Hardee said the construction of a Transfer Station facility located at the landfill is needed to replace the current facility that is inadequate.  Mr. Hardee explained the current building would be used for recycling.

Mr. Hardee explained the other items consisted of equipment that would be presented in the annual budget process.

ROAD AND BRIDGE DEPARTMENT

Mr. Kelly Jerrels said the Road Department is out growing the current facility and when the four laning of US 27A is completed there could be a safety hazard with the heavy equipment entering and exiting the facility.  Mr. Jerrels said there is no room for growth at the current site and a decision would need to be made if land currently owned by the county could be utilized or if additional land should be purchased.

MOSQUITO CONTROL/ANIMAL CONTROL

Mr. Hardee said if the Road Department was relocated there would be sufficient office and storage space for his departments and for the Construction/Maintenance Department. Mr. Hardee said this would resolve the capital improvement needs and additional needs would be addressed during the annual budget process for equipment.

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES

Mr. Bill Beddow said the major expenditures for his department for the next several years will be for the purchase of rescue vehicles at a cost of approximately $90,000.00 per vehicle. Mr. Beddow explained he has been notified that there will not be any grants awarded for several years, to purchase rescue units, as funding is being directed to address terrorism.

Mr. Beddow said a decision will need to be made for the location of the Chiefland station. Mr. Beddow explained the City of Chiefland has discussed moving the station to the mobile home they purchased in south Chiefland but details have not been provided if it will be a lease agreement, or presented to the county and who will bear the cost of the renovations. Mr. Beddow said another consideration is for an additional unit to be stationed in Chiefland to meet demands and if a new location should be selected for a station or should there be two (2) stations.

Mr Beddow said another need is improved radio communications for emergency responses.  Mr. Beddow explained there are areas where you can not transmit or receive and this affects the Sheriff's Office, Fire Departments, Emergency Management Services and Emergency Medical Services.

DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

Mr. Rob Corbitt said according to projected growth the Development Department will need 5,800 square feet of office space, 1,200 square feet for climate controlled storage area on one (1) acre land which should be sufficient to the year 2020.

Mr. Corbitt said the current building would be sufficient at the current site if a 1200 square feet portable building could be placed on the property to house the Planning Department.

PLANNING DEPARTMENT

Mr. Fred Moody said 1200 square feet should be sufficient to meet the needs of the Planning Department until the year 2020.

Mr. Moody said the roof repairs to the building would be addressed in the annual budget.

CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE

Mr. Chuck Cook said Construction and Maintenance Department is currently working in approximately 1200 square feet of space and there is a need of 10,000 square feet for office and work space.

Mr. Cook said the following needed to be addressed:

1. Carpet in lobby/remove when single entrance for security is set up.
2. Install a new well at Manatee Utility.
3. Water tank at University Oaks Utility needs to be replaced.
4. Canopy over judicial entrance - moot with conversion to single entrance.
5. Repair leaks over Property Appraiser's Office and install vent system.
6. Voting Precincts for Williston Highlands and Gulf Hammock.
7. Repainting at airport
8. Chiller for air conditioning of administrative wing of court house.
9. Remodeling bathrooms at Agricultural Extension Office to handicap accessible.
10. Roof repair for Development Department and Baker Building.

Mr. Moody recommended extending an Invitation to Bid to repair the roof damage to the court house, Development Department and Baker Building.

Mr. Cook said the bathrooms on the Cedar Key dock have been repaired.

LIBRARY

Mr. Tom Reitz said the Library Administrative office could use an additional 200 to 300 square feet of office space. Mr. Reitz explained the roof of the Baker Building is in serious need of replacing.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SERVICES

Ms. Paula Edwards said the following are short range and long range capital improvements and purchases:

1. Covered walkway from EOC kitchen door to shed.
2. A 25' x 25' climate controlled storage area (would be able remove existing shed).
3. Five (5) emergency satellite phones.
4. Five (5) lap top computers.
5. One (1) desktop computer and software for instant messaging to the state.
6. 12 to 15 feet long dual axle trailer for immediate response (Radiological).

Ms. Edwards explained there are resources to fund these requests and would not need to use General Funds.

VETERAN'S SERVICE

Mr. Major Stroupe said the support of his office is appreciated and would request additional handicapped parking for visitors to his office.

Mr. Stroupe requested consideration of constructing a Veteran's Park in the green space between the court house and annex that houses the State Attorney's Office, Veteran's Service Office and Public Defender.

SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS

Mrs. Connie Asbell said she has an immediate need for additional office space and storage space. Mrs. Asbell said she currently has 800 square feet of office space and is renting 400 square feet of storage and has a need of another 800 square feet of office space and additional 500 square feet of storage.

Mrs. Asbell said the handicap accessibility of the voting precincts needs to be reviewed as not all polling places have sufficient handicapped accessibility.

HEALTH DEPARTMENT

Mrs. Barbara Locke said support may be needed in requesting funding from the Legislature for building a new Health Department.  Mrs. Locke said they are unable to expand at the current site due to the septic tanks surrounding the building.  Mrs. Locke requested consideration for the following improvements:

1. Soffit on front of the building needs replacing.
2. Renovation of the front clerical area to maximize work area.
3. Outside lightning for security.
4. Technical assistance to maximize parking areas.
5. Handicapped door at rear entrance.

PROPERTY APPRAISER

Mr. Francis Akins explained the Property Appraiser's office is more accessible for the public from recent renovations except for access to the Map Room.  Mr. Akins said there will be a need for 6,000 square feet of office space, 200 square feet for record storage and 4,500 square feet for field vehicle parking by the year 2010 based on current growth.

Mr. Akins said with the current growth consideration may need to be given to an annex and placing the Tax Collector and Property Appraiser's Office at another location.

TAX COLLECTOR

Mrs. Linda Fugate said office space is a serious need with the addition of issuing of driver's licenses from the Tax Collector's office.  Mrs. Fugate said handicapped accessibility needs to be improved and there is a need for additional parking areas.

Mrs. Fugate said the Tax Collector's office will need approximately 10,000 square feet of office space within the next ten (10) years.

Mrs. Fugate presented the following requests for Capital Improvements:

1. Additional Office Space, possible drive thru for motor vehicle.
2. Additional Parking
3. Driver's License testing course (require one (1) acre of land)
4. Paint Williston Branch Office.
5. Replace carpeting in Chiefland Branch Office.
6. Security cameras in all offices.
7. Additional storage space.

Mr. Moody said with the construction of the sally port there will be a loss of additional parking and the Town of Bronson is wanting to eliminate on street parking on Court Street. Mr. Moody said a multi-story parking garage may be a consideration.

COURT ADMINISTRATION

Mr. Ted McFetridge recommended using a professional consultant to assess the Capital Improvement needs for all aspects of county departments and constitutional officers.

SHERIFF'S OFFICE

Sheriff Johnny Smith said the issues for the jail were addressed at the workshop held on April 2, 2002 and a needs assessment for the Sheriff's Office and administration was submitted. Sheriff Smith reviewed the needs for an administration building and the shortage of office space currently impacting his office.

Sheriff Smith said he will be placing advertisements for the sale of the helicopters shortly and he has been informed that a minimum of $175,000.00 should be received for each helicopter.  Sheriff Smith explained he would be returning the funds to the General Fund and requested that a portion be retained by the Sheriff's Office for the purchase of a small aircraft for coastal searches and other needs.

CLERK OF COURT

Mr. Danny Shipp said office space is severe in his office and through out the court house. Mrs. Shipp explained when the single entrance is established there will be an additional shortage of space for the people coming to the court house for various reasons.

Mr. Shipp said space for the storage of records and evidence is critical and recommends preparing a prioritized long range plan. Mr. Shipp said we are currently temporarily fixing some needs but a long range plan should be implemented.

Mrs. Sheila Rees said the State Attorney's Office, Public Defender's Office and Court Reporters also are restricted for space.

MISCELLANEOUS

Mr. Michael Williamson said he is employed by Raymond James and Associates an underwriter for municipal bonds and would provide the contact to explain current interest rates and options for municipal bonds.

THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE MEETING ADJOURNED.

                                                              

     Tony Parker, Board Chairman

ATTEST:

Danny J. Shipp, Clerk of Court