REGULAR MEETING
LEVY COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
January 21, 1997
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Levy County Commissioners was held on January 21, 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 Sheriff Ted Glass followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
MINUTES/BILLS
Comm. Dean moved to accept the minutes of the Special Board meeting held on December 31, 1996 and the Regular Board meeting held on January 7, 1997. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
EXPENDITURES
The following expenditures were presented for payment.
FUND AMOUNT
CHECK NUMBERS: 5235-5422
GENERAL FUND $654,559.63
ROAD & BRIDGE FUND 25,070.56
LOCAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE 1,000.00
LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT FUND 270.00
LANDFILL & RECYCLING 22,002.83
LAW ENFORCEMENT TRUST FUND 2,630.66
FLORIDA POWER GRANT FUND 16,796.52
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE 11,403.32
LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT BLOCK GR 3,075.94
STATE GRANT JUVENILE JUSTICE 106.95
TOTAL $736,916.41
CITIZEN INPUT
Mr. Bibby appeared to express his appreciation at the prompt response from the County Road Department to his request made at the pervious meeting (See BOCC minutes January 7, 1997) for road maintenance in his neighborhood.
COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS
Board Secretary Ms. Heather Alexander presented the Board with the new appointments by Chairman Yearty for 1997 for various Boards and Committees. (Exhibit A).
FIRE DEPARTMENTS
Ms. Heather Alexander, Board Secretary advised the Board that the remaining agreements from the Volunteer Fire Departments of Otter Creek, Williston, Fanning Springs, Bronson and Morriston-Montbrook had been received. Mr. Billy Cobb requested a delay on accepting the agreement from Otter Creek as they do not presently have an active Volunteer Fire Department. Comm. Foley moved to accept the agreements from the Volunteer Fire Departments, excluding Otter Creek. Comm. Dean seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
PERMIT
Ms. Margaret Knight requested a permit for the Withlacoochee Bluegrass Jamboree to be held March 23, 29, and 30, 1997. They will continue to abide with the guidelines set by the Board of County Commissioners. Comm. Dean moved to allow the permit. Comm. Lindsey seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
BUILDING AND ZONING
Chairman Yearty informed the Board that a request for quotes had been received on remodeling of office space in the building housing the State Attorney’s Office for the Building and Zoning Department. As the remodeling is a small job it was determined after investigation that it was more economical for the County to secure quotes in lieu of advertising for bids. County Attorney, Greg Beauchamp advised the Board the even though there is a Bid Policy in the County the Board could make exceptions if more than one (1) quote was obtained and favoritism was not shown to one contractor. The quotes received are:
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TOTAL $25,878.47
Comm. Dean moved to accept the quotes for the remodeling of the office space for Building and Zoning located in the State Attorney Office Building. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
SHERIFF
Sheriff Ted Glass presented the Board with a plan outlining the available land at the County Jail for future land use. Chairman Yearty directed Mr. Cobb to review the available land space and report to the Board his recommendations for future use of the land for county buildings. Sheriff Glass requested a prompt response from the Board to plan for storage of equipment that the Sheriff Office now has.
COUNTY CONSULTANT
Mr. Herb Heesch expressed appreciation to the Board for the prompt response by the Fire Department of a fire in his neighborhood on January 20, 1997.
Mr. Heesch informed the Board that he had met with the Chairman of the Planning Commission and Chairman Yearty discussing proposals for amendments to the Comprehensive Land Use Plan for the current year. The Multiple Service Districts (MSD) have been reviewed and Public Hearings will be necessary to discuss the issues of population potential for Levy County and Urban Sprawl. Mr. Cobb and himself have had discussions with the water management districts concerning these issues. Suwannee Water Management District will be reviewing the draft they have prepared for Levy County future land use and revising it to reflect the population growth allowed by the Levy County Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Mr. Heesch will have a report forthcoming.
ROAD DEPARTMENT
Mr. Kelly Jerrells reported to the Board that County Road 105 and 316 are now ready for paving by the contractor. The next road scheduled for paving is the 4 Mile Pond Road.
ROAD DEPARTMENT/EQUIPMENT
Comm. Dean informed the Board that he had been notified that the drag line is inoperable presently. It appears that repairs may exceed the worth of the drag line. The Road Department is investigating repairing the equipment or replacing with a used drag line.
ROAD DEPARTMENT/REPAIRS
Mr. Skip Hammell made a request to repair on a one (1) time basis the following:
NE 104th Court in Bronson Heights, Unit 4, a hole in the road. It will require one (1) flat bed of rock, 100' North of Levy County Road 1088 (NE 70th Lane)
NE 81st Street in Forest Park Unit 2, 4/10 mile long. It will require one (1) load rock spotted and graded.
Comm. Dean moved to repair both roads on a one (1) time basis as requested. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
Chairman Yearty presented a request to repair on a one (1) time basis the following roads:
SE 197th Lane, East of Inglis, and NE 92nd Court, Bronson.
Comm. Foley moved to repair both roads on a one (1) time basis as requested. Comm. Lindsey seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
MOSQUITO CONTROL
Mr. Wayne Hardee informed the Board that it is now time to order Malathion for the oncoming mosquito season. He requested permission to order direct from the vendor without requesting bids. There is only one (1) vendor to order Malathion in bulk. The County will need approximately 6000 gallons for an estimated price of $10,000.00. Comm. Foley moved to allow the purchase from the vendor without advertising for bids if the purchase price is within the same range as last year. Comm. Dean seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
LANDFILL
Mr. Wayne Hardee reported that the Leachate Hauling contract needs to be placed out on bids as the present contract is expiring. Comm. Davis moved to authorize the bid for the new Leachate Hauling contract. Comm. Lindsey seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
SHIP
SHIP Director Carol McQueen, reported to the Board that a workshop had been held in December and a Partnership Committee meeting had been held concerning new strategies for the disbursement of SHIP funds. Mrs. McQueen was requesting the Board to accept the proposal presented from the findings of the workshop and Partnership Committee. The present SHIP funds must be spent by June 1997. The proposal increases the monies available in the Deferred Payment Loan for Purchase Assistance on New Home Construction, Existing Home and Owner Occupied Homes. These proposals will be reviewed and amended if necessary in June 1997. The present changes will allow the county to expend the current funds. Comm. Lindsey recommended to accept the proposal as presented without any changes. Comm. Dean seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT
The First Public Hearing of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) was called to order at 10:00 a.m. CDBG Grant Director Carol McQueen explained to the Board and the public the objectives being pursued and requirements which must be met at a Federal and State level. The Citizens Advisory Task Force (CATF) has been appointed by Chairman Yearty. The Task Force is allowed by State Statute and is for the encouragement of citizens from slum or blighted areas to place their input on areas in need of the funding available from the various grants. The Citizens Advisory Task Force (CATF) consists of the following members: Walt McJordan, Chairman, Dave Bibby, Vice-Chairman, Frank Shuler, John Henry Donaldson, Doug King, Mrs. Jimmy Wall, Hugh Alexander and Cliff Norris. CATF held their first meeting January 16, 1997 and nominated the named Chairman and Vice-Chairman.
Vice-Chairman, Mr. Dave Bibby informed the Board that the Task Force reviewed the grants available to the County. The grant application must be filed with the Department of Community Affairs by February 27, 1997 at 5:00p.m. The Task Force is recommending that Neighborhood Revitalization-CDBG be pursued at this time. This would allow for funding on a variety of projects for neighborhood improvement that may include utility, drainage, road paving, sidewalks, lighting in a slum or blighted area.
The Economic Development-CDBG funding is not presently available as the County presently has an active grant and is not allowed to apply for another grant in this area.
The Task Force is presently ready to proceed with application for the grant for Neighborhood Revitalization with approval from the Board. Another Public Hearing will be held Tuesday, February 4, 1997 at 10:00a.m. to address the neighborhood area to apply for revitalization. The Public Hearing adjourned at 10:30a.m. and the Board meeting reopened. Upon resuming the order of business Comm. Davis moved to allow the Citizen’s Advisory Task Force and CDBG Grant Director Carol McQueen, continue in pursuing the Community Development Block Grant. Comm. Dean seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
FAIR HOUSING WORKSHOP
CDBG Grant Director, Carol McQueen, opened the Fair Housing Workshop immediately following the Public Hearing for the Community Development Block Grant. Mrs. McQueen reviewed the counties Fair Housing Ordinance 90-5. The workshop is to promote citizen awareness for unfair housing practices or discrimination. Any citizen who believes that there has been discrimination under Ordinance 90-5 for Fair Housing, should contact Administrative Assistant, William Cobb at the County Office. The workshop was closed.
CEDAR KEY AIRPORT
Chairman Yearty reported to the Board that improvements are needed at the airport in order to retain licensing. The Department of Transportation (DOT) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have made recommendations which have been included in the Master Plan for the airport. There will be representatives from DOT and FAA at the February 4, 1997 Commissioner’s meeting. At present there is a $300,000.00 grant available which would require $30,000.00 in matching funds that the County may apply for. The airport issue will be placed on the agenda for 1:30p.m. on February 4, 1997.
ANIMAL CONTROL
Mr. Billy Cobb, Administrative Assistant, reported that Mr. Hardee and himself have worked out a plan for collecting stray animals from the cities in the county. The cities will be required to have a holding pen and the Animal Control Officer for the County will collect the animals three (3) times a week. At present, the schedule will be Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The animals will be held for three (3) days at the County Shelter and then they will be euthanised. The county will charge the cities participating in the animal collection at $12.00 per animal. Comm. Dean moved to have an inter-local agreement prepared by County Attorney, Greg Beauchamp for the animal collection. Comm. Lindsey seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
COUNTY VEHICLES
Administrative Assistant, Mr. Billy Cobb, addressed the issue of the practice of county employees driving county vehicles to and from work. Mr. Cobb recommended that the following be allowed to have the authority to drive county vehicles home: All Department Heads, Assistant Department Heads, Mechanic on call to repair emergency rescue vehicles, mosquito control during the season, Building and Zoning inspectors, custodian on 24-hour call at the Court House, foreman of Limb & Patching crew at the Road Department and animal control officers. The Department Heads would have authority to issue authorization on an emergency basis for any other employee. This ruling is to take effect April 1, 1997. Comm. Davis moved to accept the recommendation as presented. Comm. Dean seconded and the MOTION CARRIED. Chairman Yearty noted that the vote was unanimous.
ROAD CLOSURE
Mr. Greg Beauchamp, County Attorney, notified the Board that he had received a request for a road closure from Grace N. Rydecki. The request had the appropriate funds for advertising the proposed road closure. Ms. Rydecki is requesting the roadway to be vacated, abandoned and closed: The South 25 feet of the SE 1/4 of SW 1/4 of NE 1/4 of Ne 1/4 and The South 25 feet of the West ½ of SW 1/4 of SE 1/4 of NE 1/4 of NE 1/4 and The North 25 feet of the West ½ of NW 1/4 of NE 1/4 of SE 1/4 of NE 1/4 and The North 25 feet of the NW 1/4 of SE 1/4 of NE 1/4, all above said lands situate, lying and being in Section 10, Township 12 South, Range 17 East in Levy County, Florida. The Public Hearing is scheduled for February 18, 1997 at 10:30 a.m. at the Board of County Commissioners meeting. Comm. Davis moved to issue the Notice of Intent to Consider Vacating Public Road. Comm. Dean seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION PAYMENT PLAN
Mr. Greg Beauchamp, County Attorney, advised the Board that he had received a packet on the Deferred Compensation Payment Plan available to the county employees. He will review the documents and make a recommendation at the next meeting. The information received is recommending that the monies in the fund be placed in a Trust Account that cannot be used by the Board for the county.
ATSENA OTIE KEY
Mr. Gregory Beauchamp, County Attorney, reported that a conceptual agreement from the Florida Community Trust Fund had been received on the assumption of ownership of Atsena Otie Key in Cedar Key. There are requirements which need to be met by the County and by the City of Cedar Key by particular dead lines. Mr. Beauchamp had just received the information and will report fully at the next scheduled Board meeting.
PLANNING BOARD
Mr. Rob Corbitt, Building and Zoning Department Head, inquired of Comm. Foley is a replacement for retiring Planning Board member, Dean Hooker had been appointed. Mr. Corbitt advised the Board that an alternate was presently available to fill the vacancy. Comm. Foley advised Mr. Corbitt that he would be notifying him shortly of the replacement for Mr. Hooker.
THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE MEETING ADJOURNED.
Sammy Yearty, Board Chairman
ATTEST:
Douglas M. McKoy, Clerk of Court
ATTACHED A