REGULAR MEETING
LEVY COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
January 7, 1997
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Levy County Commissioners was held on January 7, 1997 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. Wilbur Dean
Comm. Don Lindsey
Comm. Frank Davis
Also present were:
County Attorney - Gregory V. Beauchamp
Clerk of Court - Douglas M. McKoy
Administrative Assistant - William C. Cobb
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.. The invocation was given by Clerk of Court, Douglas M. McKoy followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Comm. Dean moved to adopt the minutes as presented for December 3, 1996 and for December 17, 1996. Comm. Lindsey seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
EXPENDITURES
The following expenditures were presented for payment. Comm. Davis moved to approve the bills for payment as presented. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED. Comm. Lindsey moved to approve for payment the bills submitted on December 17, 1996 for payment. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
FUND AMOUNT
CHECK NUMBERS: 6160 -6345
GENERAL FUND $740,215.87
ROAD & BRIDGE FUND 22,270.47
LOCAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE 9,685.00
LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT FUND 381.60
FINE & FORFEITURE FUND 14,184.20
LANDFILL & RECYCLING 31,973.31
LAW ENFORCEMENT TRUST FUND 2,541.66
FLORIDA POWER GRANT FUND 494.13
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE 6,891.01
FIRE CONTROL FUND 5,750.00
TOTAL $834,387.25
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Comm. Foley moved to nominate Comm. Yearty as Chairman of the Board of county Commissioners for the ensuing year. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
Comm. Dean moved to nominate Comm. Foley as Vice-Chairman for the Board of County Commissioners for the ensuing year. Comm. Lindsey seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION
Clerk of Court, Douglas McKoy discussed the Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) which are available to Levy County. The grant would be available in addition to the SHIP funds now available to county residents. Mr. McKoy suggested that Neighborhood Revitalization grants have the potential to impact more citizens through funding of water systems, sewer mains or road paving in specific areas. Mr. McKoy said the application must be submitted no later than February 26, 1997 and asked the Board for permission for himself and Carol McQueen, SHIP Director, to take the steps necessary to apply for a CDBG grant for this year. Comm. Dean moved to authorize the Clerk and Carol McQueen to apply for a CDBG Grant as requested. Comm. Lindsey seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
Mr. McKoy then said that a Citizens Advisory Task Force needs to be appointed to give consideration to the various needs of the county, review the type of Grants available and make recommendations to the Board at a Public Hearing which could be held during the next regular Board meeting. Comm. Lindsey moved to advertise for a Public Hearing on January 21, 1997 to consider a Community Block Grant application at 10:00a.m. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
The Board granted Chairman Yearty authority to name a temporary Citizens Advisory Task Force to review the CDBG Application and gather input for the Public Hearing which has been scheduled.
PERSONNEL/LANDFILL
Sarah Miller, former employee of the landfill addressed the Board. Mrs. Miller reviewed prior issues she had brought before the Board. Mrs. Miller then thanked the Board for allowing her to speak.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT
Mr. George Sandora advised the Board that they did not receive all of the monies for the Community Development Block Grant that had been requested for The Pines of Nature Coast. They did receive $115,000.00 and the contract is ready to be signed. Mr. Sandora explained that monies which previously had been thought to be available were exhausted from post hurricane expenditures. Mr. Sandora informed the Board that The Pines of Nature Coast were modifying their previous application and a new contract will be prepared within 90 days consistent with the modifications. Comm. Dean moved to allow the Chairman of the Board to sign the grant application. Comm. Lindsey seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
CITIZEN INPUT/ROADS
Mr. Davie Bibby requested the Board to have the road maintained to his home in Williston Highlands. Mr. Bibby indicated that the road was a county maintained road and the pot holes were in the process of damaging his vehicles. The Board instructed the Road Department to verify that the road was in the county maintenance system and proceed as necessary with repairs.
CORRESPONDENCE
Board Secretary, Jacqueline Martin presented new bond applications which need to be signed for Comm. Wilbur Dean, Comm. Sammy Yearty, Comm. Frank Davis, Property Appraiser Francis Akins, Supervisor of Elections Connie Asbell, and Tax Collector Donald Richburg. There was a mixup on the original applications and new applications are required. Comm. Davis moved to sign the new bond applications. Comm. Lindsey seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
FIRE PROTECTION
Mrs. Martin advised the Board that Fire Department agreements had been received from Rainbow Lakes Estates, Rosewood, Chiefland, Cedar Key, Gulf Hammock, Inglis, Fowlers Bluff and Yankeetown. The only change from the previous agreement is the effective date. Comm. Foley moved to accept the agreements. Comm. Dean seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
AMBULANCE
Mrs. Martin presented the agreements with Cedar Key EMS for reimbursement from the special assessments and the ambulance lease. Comm. Dean moved to accept the agreements and make appropriate reimbursements. Comm. Lindsey seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
ANIMAL CONTROL
Mr. William Cobb requested authority from the Board to pursue the possibility of an interlocal agreement with the cities for animal control. Mr. Cobb advised that Mr. Hardee and himself had spoken with some city officials on the possibility of a central pickup point for animals which would transport the animals to the County Animal Shelter. The cities who utilize the agreement would be charged at the same rate that is now used at the shelter. Comm. Foley moved to authorize Mr. Cobb and Mr. Hardee to review and submit a study of an interlocal agreement with the cities in the county for animal control. Comm. Lindsey seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
PERMITS
Comm. Lindsey inquired of County Consultant Herb Heesch if there was a report from the last meeting for the secondary sewer/septic system applied for by Mr. Walt McJordan. Mr. Rob Corbitt responded that they were now awaiting a legal opinion on the impact to the Comprehensive Land Use Plan and what ordinance would be needed. Mr. Walt McJordan advised that Mr. Don May had issued him a permit at this time but he is waiting to use the permit until Building & Zoning have resolved their questions. Chairman Yearty requested that Comm. Lindsey, Mr. Heesch, Mr. Corbitt, Mr. Beauchamp, County Attorney, to research and clarify for Building and Zoning what additional steps are needed for Mr. McJordan to proceed with his permit applications and report at the next Board meeting.
COUNTY PARKS
Mr. Wayne Hardee requested that the salaries paid to the caretakers at Bird Park in Yankeetown and Wacassassa Park be adjusted. The duties at Bird Park in Yankeetown have been reduced and the duties at Wacassassa Park have increased. Mr. Hardee suggested that the salary for the caretaker at Bird Park, Yankeetown be adjusted to $250.00 biweekly. Comm. Dean moved to accept the salary adjustments as recommended. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
ROAD MAINTENANCE
Mr. Skip Hammell, Road Department informed the Board that the HD Road, SW 77th Place & portion of SW 132nd Terrace in Coastal Oaks & Gulf Ridge which had been accepted by motion to the county road system on December 17, 1996 did not have a clear right-of-way for acceptance into the county road system. Comm. Lindsey moved to rescind his motion of December 17, 1996 and allow maintenance on a one (1) time basis. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
Mr. Hammell reported that the Mr. Jimmy Jerrells had contacted the railroad on the crossing at County Road 326 in Morriston. The damage is between the tracks and is the responsibility of the railroad. The railroad has informed the Road Department that they will be repairing the crossing.
Mr. Hammell presented a request to fix on a one (1) time basis:
SW 113th Terrace in Cedars Mobile Home Paradise. 0.20 mile long, 50' dedicated right-of-way, six (6) loads rock, trim road and clean out pipes. Comm. Lindsey moved to accept the request. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
SHIP
Mrs. Carol McQueen presented a Deferred Payment Loan Agreement for approval on Renee Speegle for a home located on Lots 83 & 95, Block 5, Whitted Estates, Levy County, Florida. Comm. Dean moved to accept the loan agreement. Comm. Lindsey seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
ZONING
Mr. Rob Corbitt presented the following two (2) petitions for hardship variances:
1. Petition #VA 0345-------Jerry Walters, petitioning the Board for a Hardship Variance to allow a second dwelling to care for his mother-in-law and father-I n-law on a parcel of land located in the SW 1/4 of the SW 1/4 in Section 22, Township 13S, Range 18E, in Levy County. Said parcel contains 9.91 acres more or less and is located within a Rural Residential (RR) zone. The 911 address is 16052 NE 2nd Place.
Mr. Corbitt stated there was one letter of opposition to the petition from a land owner. Comm. Dean moved to approve the variance as requested. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
2. Petition #VA 00337--------Dianne Dailey, petitioning the Board for a Hardship Variance to allow a second dwelling in order to care for her son, Jason Dailey, on a parcel of land located in the W 3/4 of the S ½ of the NE 1/4 of the NW 1/4 in Section 28, Township 11S, Range 17E, A.K.A. Bronson Hills, Lot 7, in Levy County. Said parcel contains 15 acres more or less and is located within a Rural Residential (RR) zone. The 911 address is located at 11769 NE 93rd Terrace.
There were no letters of opposition received. Comm. Dean moved to accept the Hardship Variance. Comm. Lindsey seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
SHERIFF
Sheriff Ted Glass informed the Board that the Sheriff’s Department had been able to purchase two (2) military surplus helicopters. He requested the Board to advise him on storage of the helicopters. Sheriff Glass has spoken with Williston Airport and they can be stored there. An alternative is to arrange space at the Sheriff’s Office to store the helicopters. Sheriff Glass requested that each Commissioner visit the Sheriff’s Office and Jail to study long range planning for the county and to utilize the acreage for the most efficient use.
Sheriff Glass addressed the issue of space being needed for the jail, Civil Defense, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), 911 Office and Building & Zoning. The Chairman addressed the heads of the Departments to review their needs and present them at the next Board meeting for further consideration.
CEDAR KEY AIRPORT
Mrs. Renata Cannon inquired as to the status of the FAA report received. Chairman Yearty responded that Mr. Cobb and himself had met with the Department of Transportation (DOT) and had compared FAA’s recommendations with the recommendations from DOT and the County’s Master Plan. A Public Hearing will probably be scheduled for the end of February 1997.
ROADS
Comm. Foley indicated that he had received queries from citizens who had read the list of roads to be paved in the Chiefland Citizen and which work had not yet begun. Chairman Yearty requested Comm. Foley to determine the status of where the Road Department is in repairing the roads and to report on his findings.
LEVY ASSOCIATION RETARDED CITIZENS
Comm. Davis informed the Board that he attended the Levy Association of Retarded Citizens (LARC) Christmas Dinner on behalf of the Board. He presented the Board with a Certificate of Appreciation which he accepted on behalf of the Board.
EMPLOYEE SAFETY
Comm. Dean informed the Board that he had received complaints from some citizens concerning County Employees who are driving county vehicles and not wearing their seat belts. Mr. Cobb has a Employee Safety meeting scheduled and this issue will be addressed at this time.
BUILDING & ZONING/BIDS
Mr. Rob Corbitt, Building & Zoning Supervisor requested clarification for the Board on advertising the bid specifications for the additional vehicle. The Board approved the request to advertise the bid at the November 5, 1996 meeting. The Board advised Mr. Corbitt to advertise the bid to be opened at the February 4, 1997 meeting. The Board had previously approved the request for the vehicle.
APPRECIATION
Chairman Yearty recognized Comm. Dean for the past year of service to the Board as Chairman.
THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE MEETING ADJOURNED.
Sammy Yearty, Board Chairman
ATTEST:
Douglas M. McKoy, Clerk of Court