REGULAR MEETING
LEVY COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
April 8, 1997
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Levy County Commissioners was held on April 8, 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 Mr. Skip Hammell followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
EXPENDITURES
The following expenditures were presented for payment. Comm. Dean moved to approve payment of the bills. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
FUND AMOUNT
CHECK NUMBERS: 7345-7582 (VOIDS 7343; 7344)
GENERAL FUND $786,396.98
ROAD & BRIDGE FUND 93,670.99
LOCAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE 16,243.65
LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT FUND 2,221.50
FINE & FORFEITURE FUND 7,964.86
EMERGENCY 911 70,161.92
LANDFILL & RECYCLING 46,774.50
LAW ENFORCEMENT TRUST FUND 7,887.13
COURT FACILITIES FUND 36.99
FLORIDA POWER GRANT FUND 96.24
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE 22,229.85
FIRE CONTROL FUND 18,320.25
ST GRANT-JUVENILE JUSTICE 415.86
TOTAL $1,072,420.72
MINUTES
Comm. Davis moved to adopt the minutes of the previous meeting of March 18, 1997. Comm. Lindsey seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
FLORIDA COUNTIES FOUNDATION
Mr. James LaRue and Ms. Mindy Collier appeared and requested instructions on the issues which need to be addressed on behalf of the county. The Foundation will assist in reviewing and completing grants with technical assistance. They will provide information on what grants may be available to the county for supplemental funding of projects the county is interested in undertaking. They have scheduled meetings with the appropriate county employees to review what procedures are needed to obtain assistance.
CEDAR KEY SPECIAL WATER & SEWERAGE DISTRICT
Mr. Ted Burt appeared on behalf of the Cedar Key Special Water & Sewerage District requesting Board approval of the proposed legislation to reduce the size of the water & sewerage district. Mr. Burt indicated that the District was not removing service from any existing users. Mr. Burt said that they presently do not have the funding to serve new users and do not expect to have funds for future expansion of services. The legislation is to be discussed with the District on April 14, 1997 to be submitted to the Legislature prior to the end of session in May. Comm. Lindsey moved to support the proposed legislation subject to approval by the City of Cedar Key City Council. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
SHIP
Mrs. Carol McQueen presented two (2) Deferred Payment Loan Agreements for approval. The first agreement is for Gilbert and Cynthia Ross for a dwelling located on Lot 9 & 10, Executive Homes Subdivision, Parcel #15988, Levy County. The second agreement is for Tina Marie Brown and Bernard A. Brown for a dwelling located on Lots 3 and 4 Block C of Hammock Heights, recorded in Plat Book 3, Page 23, of Public Records of levy County. Comm. Dean moved to approve the two (2) agreements. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
Mrs. McQueen said that an advertisement has been running in the local newspapers on the new allocation plan for SHIP loans. She stated that with the responses being received that the funds allocated should be expended for the SHIP program.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT
The Board requested that Mrs. Carol McQueen arrange to meet with the Road Department to formulate a time schedule for the road repair/construction on the new grant application. Mrs. McQueen informed the Board that August would be the earliest date that notice of approval or denial of the grant would be received.
ORDINANCE
Mr. C. W. Gilbert inquired why a proposed Trash and Debris Ordinance had been sent to the City of Bronson. Mr. Rob Corbitt informed the Board that he had received a request from several municipalities within the county for a copy of the ordinance. In response he forwarded a copy of the proposed ordinance to all of the municipalities.
DRUG FREE WORK PLACE
Mr. C. W. Gilbert requested an update on the status of the Drug Free Work Place for county employees. Chairman Yearty responded that meetings had been scheduled with several providers and upon resolving the cost of testing and other minor problems the issue would be brought before the Board.
SUBDIVISIONS
Mr. C. W. Gilbert requested an explanation on the status of Shady Lane Subdivision following his inquires at the March 4, 1997 regular meeting. Chairman Yearty informed Mr. Gilbert that he would schedule an appointment when Mr. Greg Beauchamp, County Attorney could be available to discuss the matter. Mr. Gilbert emphasized that he did not believe that he needed to be present. Chairman Yearty informed the public that a report on the issue would be given by County Attorney, Greg Beauchamp for the record at the regular meeting on April 22, 1997.
911ADDRESSING DATA BASE
Mr. Billy Cobb, Assistant Administrator requested authorization to establish a budget and department for 911 Addressing Data Base. Mr. Cobb advised the Board that the 911 Addressing has developed more rapidly than expected growth projections within the county. Comm. Foley moved to allow a budget and department to be established. Comm. Lindsey seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
Ms. Heather Alexander informed the Board the Mr. Eugene Carter, District II needed to be reappointed to the Board of Adjustment. Comm. Foley moved to reappoint Mr. Carter to the Board of Adjustment. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
Ms. Alexander said that Mr. Dennis Andrews, District IV term was also expiring on the Board of Adjustment and needed to be reappointed. Comm. Lindsey moved to reappoint Mr. Andrews to the Board of Adjustment. Comm. Dean seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
LICENSING BOARD
Ms. Heather Alexander notified the Board that the term of Mr. John Hart, District II was expiring on the Licensing Board. Comm. Foley moved to reappoint Mr. Hart. Comm. Dean seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
Ms. Alexander said that Mr. Richard Hawthorne, District III term was expiring also. Comm. Foley moved to reappoint Mr. Hawthorne to the Licensing Board. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
Mrs. Alexander also said that Mr. Ken Edmonds, District IV term was expiring. Comm. Lindsey moved to reappoint Mr. Edmonds to the Licensing Board. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
ROAD DEPARTMENT/BIDS
Mrs. Heather Alexander informed the Board that only one (1) bid had been received for the utility vehicle advertised for bid. The bid was received at 10:01 a.m. from Scoggins Chevrolet of Chiefland. Chairman Yearty advised Mrs. Alexander to return the bid to Scoggins Chevrolet unopened and unaccepted. Comm. Davis moved to advertise the bid a second time for a utility vehicle. Comm. Lindsey seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
BUILDING AND ZONING
Mr. Rob Corbitt requested Petition No. FP-00207, from Michael Pardue representing Woodland II be tabled until the next regular meeting. Mr. Corbitt indicated that some technical information was omitted from the final plat. Comm. Dean moved to postpone approval of the plat pending the corrections to the final plat. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
Mr. Corbitt presented a petition for final plat approval on:
Petition No. FP-00178 - Mike McDouglas for a Final Plat of "Tishomingo Plantation," a subdivision located in the SE corner of Section 10, Township 11S, Range 14E, in Levy County. Said parcel contains 61.61 acres more or less and is located with a Commercial (C-4) zone.
Comm. Lindsey moved to accept the final plat subject to the county attorney signature on the plat. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
PUBLIC HEARING
The Public Hearing on the proposed Anti-Nudity Ordinance was called to order at 10:00 a.m. by Chairman Yearty. County Attorney, Mr. Greg Beauchamp read the heading of the proposed ordinance into the record. Mr. Beauchamp indicated that there were some scrivener’s errors to be corrected in the ordinance before it could be signed. Mr. Beauchamp informed the Board that he had received a telephone call and a letter of opposition from Naturist Family Association of Florida, located in Coconut Grove, Florida. Mr. Barney Cannon addressed the Board concerning the heading of the ordinance only mentioning bars and not other public places. He also expressed concern of the ordinance being included in the Land Development portion of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Mr. Cannon did not believe the Ordinance was necessary. Mrs. Renata Cannon spoke to the Board and requested clarification on some items within the ordinance. Mrs. Cannon said that she appreciated the Board taking action on an Anti-Nudity Ordinance before a problem arose in the county. Sheriff Glass said that he thought the Ordinance was a preventive measure which was needed by the county.
The Public Hearing on the Anti-Nudity Ordinance was closed and the regular meeting reopened.
Comm. Dean moved to adopt the Anti-Nudity Ordinance. Comm. Lindsey seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
The Public Hearing to repeal a portion of Ordinance No. 96-4, pertaining to small scale land development was called to order at 10:30 a.m. Mr. Greg Beauchamp, County Attorney notified the Board the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) had informed him that they were withdrawing their objections of noncompliance to the portion in the ordinance referred to as the White property for exceeding the maximum allowance of land by 1/100th of an acre. Mr. Beauchamp said that the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) had provided him with the proper documentation on the withdrawing of their objection. The portion of the Ordinance 96-4 relating to that parcel of land known as the King Property is to be repealed by a new Ordinance as it exceeds the maximum allowance of land. There were no objections presented or made at the Public Hearing.
The Public Hearing was closed and the regular meeting reopened.
Comm. Dean moved to adopt the Ordinance deleting that portion of Ordinance No. 96-4 relating to the King property. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
ROAD DEPARTMENT
Mr. Justin Watson received a request from Lancaster Prison to transport trusses from Lake City to their facility in Trenton on the county lowboy. Comm. Davis moved to authorize the use of the lowboy by the Road Department to transport the trusses for Lancaster Prison. Comm. Lindsey seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
ROAD DEPARTMENT/MAINTENANCE
Mr. Skip Hammell presented two (2) requests for maintenance on a one (1) time basis located at:
NE 70th Street between C-335 and NE 110th Avenue, dedicated right-of-way in University Estates and,
NE 97th Place between NE 110th Avenue and NE 105th Avenue, dedicated right-of-way in University Estates.
Comm. Dean moved to approve the road maintenance on a one (1) time basis. Comm. Lindsey seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
Mr. Skip Hammell said that Universal Testing had performed the testing on County Roads 105 and 316 as a result of inquiries made by Mrs. Sarah Miller. Comm. Foley said that when the results are received Mr. Skip Hammell will arrange a meeting with Mr. I. B. King of White Construction to discuss the results and the solutions to any problems which may be found in the road construction. Comm. Foley said it was his understanding that no payment had yet been made to White Construction for any of the completed road work. Comm. Foley moved to pay one-half of the amount now due White Construction for the road work and retain the second half pending the results from Universal Testing. Comm. Lindsey seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
COUNTY CONSULTANT
Mr. Herb Heesch, County Planning Consultant advised the Board that he had attended a meeting concerning the Colt Springs Village located at the Marion County line. Mr. Heesch said that the development had been reduced substantially with major revisions. He said it does not appear that it will have the impact on Levy County as previously anticipated.
Mr. Heesch said that the Planning Board had held its first public hearing in Inglis on April 3. A public hearing will be held in Bronson on April 9. Notification has been sent to all of the municipalities as a reminder of the public hearings for the amendments to the Comprehensive Land Use Plan relating to the Multiple Service Districts (MSD). Mr. Heesch said that the Consolidated Comprehensive Plan book had been well received by the public.
Mr. Heesch added that he had been discussing with Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and the Water Management Districts the population growth rates presently anticipated for Levy County. Current statistics indicated that the housing analysis should be updated and revised for an upward population growth. Mr. Heesch said that Suwannee River Water Management District would assist in the map updating upon request from the county. Chairman Yearty authorized Mr. Billy Cobb to write Suwannee River Water Management for the proffered assistance.
PUBLIC INTEREST
Comm. Davis informed the Board that he had purchased a hog raised by Tisha Neufeld at the Suwannee River Livestock Fair on the behalf of the Commissioners. Comm. Davis emphasized that this is a personal expenditure each Commissioner.
ROAD DEPARTMENT
Comm. Davis reported that the Florida Department of Transportation (DOT) had written concerning the signal light which is to be installed at the intersection of US 41 and SR 121 in Williston. The Department of Transportation has requested that the county and the City of Williston maintain the traffic light on an equal basis. The recommendation is for the county to supply the parts and the City of Williston will supply the labor. It has been determined that the traffic light is located on city and county property. The City of Williston will discuss the issue at their next council meeting, also the possibility of assuming full responsibility for maintenance if that intersection is annexed into the city limits. The City of Williston will notify the county in writing of their decision. Comm. Davis moved to maintain one-half of the traffic light at US 41 and SR 121 subject to approval by the City of Williston. Comm. Lindsey seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
PERSONNEL/MOSQUITO CONTROL
Comm. Dean advised the Board that Mr. Paul Baylor has successfully completed the Mosquito Control Public Health & Core Test for certification in Pest Control. Comm. Dean moved to increase Mr. Baylor’s salary to a new hourly rate of $8.0542 in accordance with the October 21, 1986 policy by the Board for employees who successfully complete courses which enhance their position. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
PERSONNEL/LANDFILL
Mr. Greg Beauchamp, County Attorney reported to the Board that the Florida Commission on Human Relations has found no cause to support the gender discrimination complaint filed by Mrs. Sarah Miller.
INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT
Mr. Billy Cobb reported that Otter Creek had resolved the difficulties with the fire department and he now recommended signing the interlocal agreement for fire protection. Comm. Dean moved to accept the interlocal agreement for fire protection with Otter Creek. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
CENTRAL FLORIDA REGIONAL LIBRARY
Ms. Julie Seig with the Central Florida Regional Library presented a proclamation to the Board for National Library Week. Mr. Greg Beauchamp, County Attorney read the proclamation into the record. Comm. Davis moved to proclaim April 13-19, 1997 as National Library Week in Levy County. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT
Mr. George Sandora presented a revised contract on the block grant for The Pines of Nature Coast assisted living facility. The grant has been increased to $210,000.00 from $114,000.00. Comm. Dean moved to authorize the signing of the revised contract. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Mr. George Sandora said that a large construction firm has been discussing the possibility of locating in Levy County. He advised the Board that he would be reporting at a later date on the operation and discussing a possible tax abatement if the firm decides tolocates in the area.
PUBLIC INTEREST
Mr. Walter McJordan thanked the Rosewood Fire Department and the Chiefland Fire Department for the prompt response and assistance for the fire at his business in Cedar Key.
WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN
Mr. Jerry Scarborough, Mr. Kirk Webster and Mr. Marvin Ralston with Suwannee River Water Management presented a proposed water plan for the county. They have requested input from the county in formulating the water plan and have proposed workshops scheduled as follows:
April 8, 1997 Introduction Water Supply
May 6, 1997 Flood Protection
June 3, 1997 Water Quality
July 8, 1997 Natural Systems
October 1997 Public Workshop
November 4, 1997 Final Draft
Mr. Ralston and Mr. Webster discussed how Suwannee River Water Management is presently monitoring the water usage and is receiving cooperation from the agricultural community. They said that the proposal is for a guide which may be made part of the Comprehensive Lane Use Plan or used as a data reference. The recommended plan is not self-executing but would require further action to put in use.
Mr. Anthony Drew, Levy County Extension Agent indicated that the majority of the farmers realize that the water supply must be protected and are using an intelligent and scientific manner for crop irrigation. Mr. Drew emphasized that prior studies have not been completely accurate as different methods of obtaining the statistics have been utilized. He said that the same methodology needs to be used in obtaining the documentation.
Mrs. Renata Cannon said that the weather conditions should be considered for the recharge zones of the aquifers and protection areas.
Mr. Terry Johnson with South West Water Management added that the water managements districts are attempting to create a guide to assist local governments in water management. Mr. Johnson advised the Board that a conference will be held for water management state wide on May 29-30, 1997 in Tampa, Florida. Chairman Yearty advised that a representative from the county would attend the conference.
Mr. Jerry Scarborough informed the Board that the Suwannee Basin Alliance, a combined effort of the State of Florida and the State of Georgia, will be holding a meeting on April 9, 1997 in Cedar Key, Florida beginning at 9:00 a.m.
Chairman Yearty advised that the Board would cooperate with the Water Management Districts in preparing a water management plan.
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Comm. Foley advised that the City of Chiefland had made a request for the county to assist in a partial absorption of the cost of the electricity for the proposed private ballfield to be constructed north of Chiefland. The estimated annual cost for electricity is $3,000.00 and would benefit approximately 300 children participating in the Little League from throughout the county. Comm. Foley moved to allocate $1,500.00 for partial cost of the electricity for the ballfield located in Chiefland. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
PARKS DEPARTMENT
The Parks Department has requested a transfer in the line items of their budget. A printout of the budgets for all departments will be available by the next regular meeting to discuss transfers in the individual departments budgets.
Comm. Dean reminded the Board that Mr. Albert Fuller had requested in his budget for the shed and bathroom facilities at the county recreational field for summer use. This issue has previously been discussed with no action taken and consideration needs to be given prior to the beginning of the summer use of the field.
THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE MEETING ADJOURNED.
Sammy Yearty, Board Chairman
ATTEST:
Douglas M. McKoy, Clerk of Court