REGULAR MEETING

LEVY COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

April 22, 1997

 The Regular Meeting of the Board of Levy County Commissioners was held on April 22, 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. Douglas McKoy followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

EXPENDITURES

 The following expenditures were presented for payment. Comm. Dean moved to approve the bills for payment. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 FUND                                                              AMOUNT
 CHECK NUMBERS: 7593-7792 (VOID 7592)

 GENERAL FUND                                       $167,993.93

 ROAD & BRIDGE FUND                               25,865.69

 LOCAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE                     180.00

 FINE & FORFEITURE FUND                          4,525.90

 EMERGENCY 911                                            9,488.74

 ROAD & BRIDGE SPECIAL CONST.           77,250.51

 LANDFILL & RECYCLING                           14,298.72

 LAW ENFORCEMENT TRUST FUND           1,300.00

 COURT FACILITIES FUND                            2,663.56

 FLORIDA POWER GRANT FUND                    529.83

 EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE             46,107.84

 LOCAL LAW ENF BLOCK GRANT               2,157.98

 SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION                         15,827.38

 LOCAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE TR.                      285.24

 FIRE CONTROL FUND                                 16,618.53

 EMS GRANT FUND                                       17,798.94

 INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMUN            1,470.32

 ST GRANT-JUVENILE JUSTICE                     3,210.64

 ADD REV BOND DEBT SERVICE                95,119.28

                                                        TOTAL $502,693.03

 MINUTES

Comm. Davis moved to accept the minutes of the regular meeting on April 8, 1997. Comm. Dean seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 NOISE ORDINANCE

Mrs. Roberta Piquard made a complaint on the loud noise that she and her neighbors are having in their neighborhood on 94th Terrace, Bronson Heights by tenants residing on property owned by Mr. John Phillips. Mrs. Piquard requested prompt consideration on adopting a Noise Ordinance for the county which would allow the Sheriff’s Office authority to handle noise complaints.

Mrs. Cheryl Rowsey also a resident said she agreed with Mrs. Piquard and had sent written correspondence concerning the noise problem to the Board.

Mr. Vern Myrick said that the residents of Fowlers Bluff had not had a noise problem recently, but he would endorse a noise ordinance in the county.

Chairman Yearty requested Comm. Dean, Mr. Rob Corbitt, Mr. Billy Cobb and Sheriff Ted Glass discuss the noise problem on 94th Terrace and attempt to find a resolution to the problem. Comm. Dean will contact Mrs. Piquard with the results.

 DRUG FREE WORK PLACE

Mr. C. W. Gilbert asked for an update on the progress of instituting the Drug Free Work Place which the county adopted on June 18, 1991 and March 6, 1996. Mr. Gilbert inquired if the county would have the enforcement of the policy handled by an independent party. Chairman Yearty advised Mr. Gilbert that Ms. Jackie Alexander of Interim Health Care Services will have the program implemented within sixty (60) days with Interim HealthCare of North Central Florida, Inc.

 SHADY LANE SUBDIVISION

Mr. C. W. Gilbert made queries on the Shady Lane Subdivision. County Attorney, Greg Beauchamp advised that the litigation brought against the county concerning the subdivision was resolved relieving the county of any liability. Mr. Beauchamp said that the court did not direct the county to mark "vacate" on the plat after the litigation ended. Mr. Beauchamp said that he had been contacted in 1996 by another attorney and during their discussion he decided to prepare a resolution for the county to adopt which would clear any issues which may not have been completely resolved. Mr. Beauchamp said that it was his legal opinion that the resolution was needed to reach a satisfactory conclusion to the issues on the Shady Lane Subdivision. Mr. Gilbert indicated that he was satisfied with Mr. Beauchamp’s explanation.

 PUBLIC CONCERN

Mr. C. W. Gilbert addressed the Board concerning the "squandering of tax payers dollars" relating to a motion for a temporary injunction filed by the county in a land development case. Mr. Gilbert said that he had attended the court session when the motion was heard and felt that county tax dollars were not being put to good use. Chairman Yearty informed Mr. Gilbert that the case was presently in litigation and no further comments would be made.

 ROAD DEPARTMENT/EQUIPMENT

Mr. Doug Baker with Baker Communication of Lake City made a presentation for a new radio tower at the road department. Mr. Baker indicated that Mr. Skip Hammell had requested him to examine the site and make a recommendation on repairing the existing tower and/or replacing the tower. Mr. Baker said it was his understanding that the Florida Department of Transportation (DOT) is planning to widen US 27 and the existing tower will need to be moved. Mr. Baker said that for a new tower for self use would be approximately $167,000.00 and an optimal tower would be approximately $224,000.00. The optimal tower would allow for space to be leased on the tower by private companies. Comm. Foley remarked that it was his recollection in the discussions with the Department of Transportation (DOT) that they were aware that the tower would have to be moved and that part of the proposed agreement was for the Department of Transportation (DOT) to assume the cost of repairing and moving the tower or replacing the tower. Chairman Yearty requested Comm. Foley to confirm with the Department of Transportation (DOT) their position on the radio tower located at the Road Department.

 NON-AD VALOREM

Mr. Billy Cobb read a Certificate of Correction of Non-Ad Valorem Assessment Roll for Mr. Perry Dease. Comm. Dean moved to approve the Certificate of Correction. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 RAINBOW LAKES ESTATES

Mr. Billy Cobb reported to the Board that the ambulance service which had been contracted for the Rainbow Lakes Estates performance was unsatisfactory. Mr. Cobb met with Marion County officials and they have made an arrangement for an ambulance to be available to the citizens in that subdivision. Mr. Cobb recommended that the contract not be renewed with the current provider.

Mr. Douglas McKoy said that correspondence had been received from Marion County concerning the paving project at Rainbow Lakes Estates. A request for payment will be submitted at the next regular meeting.

 PERSONNEL/CUSTODIAL

Mr. Cobb requested that Mr. Jim Jones be promoted to Custodian from Building Trades Worker II to replace Mr. Max Bowers who has retired. Mr. Cobb said that Mr. Jones has been performing the duties of Custodian for a period of time and was interested in the position. Comm. Dean moved to promote Mr. Jones to Custodian as Department Head with an annual salary of $24,000.00. Comm. Lindsey seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 SUBDIVISION/TYPE II

Chairman Yearty requested that the Board consider allowing Type II Subdivision plats into the county road maintenance system by special assessment and donation of right-of-way to the county. Chairman Yearty indicated that 100% participation would be required by each resident with the dedication of the right-of-way to the public and a special assessment to each land owner. Comm. Davis said that if interested residents contact the land owners, prepare the documentation for dedicating the right-of-way to the public and accept the special assessment, that the county would benefit from the improved roads which would be added into the maintenance system. Comm. Foley moved to allow Type II Subdivisions into the county road maintenance system if all residents affected agree to donate the right-of-way to the public and agree to pay a special assessment to form the MSTU. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED. It was noted that this system has been successful in other types subdivisions within the county.

 BUILDING AND ZONING

Mr. Rob Corbitt presented the following petition for a final plat:

Petition No. FP-00207 - Michael Pardue representing Florida Woodland III, for a Final Plat of "Rainbow Heights Addition," a subdivision located in the N ½ of the NW 1/4 of the NE 1/4 and the N ½ of the NE 1/4 of the NE 1/4 in Section 1, Township 15S, Range 17E, in Levy County. The parcel contains 40 acres more or less and is located within a Rural Residential (RR) zone.

Comm. Davis moved to approve the Final Plat petition FP-00207. Comm. Dean seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 PERSONNEL/PLANNING DIRECTOR

Comm. Davis recommended that consideration be made for hiring a full-time Planning Director for the county. Comm. Davis said that Mr. Cobb and himself had compiled a job description and were recommending a salary range of $25,000.00 to $33,000.00 annually. The county presently has a contract with Mr. Herb Heesch for county planning. The contract amount is $40,872.00 for one (1) year which does not include additional monthly costs as outlined in the contract agreement. Comm. Davis said that the county presently has a Green Thumb worker to utilize for the secretarial duties and that space was available in a storage room at Building & Zoning. Comm. Davis said the county would have a savings hiring a full time planning director.

Mr. Herb Heesch said the county has grown and could support a full time Planning Department. He said he would be available for consultation and would honor his existing contract until October 1, 1997. Comm. Davis moved to advertise for a full-time Planning Director to be hired October 1, 1997 at the beginning of the fiscal year and allowing for the position to be budgeted. Comm. Lindsey seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 SHERIFF

Sheriff Ted Glass said that the COPS Hiring Grant had been awarded to the county. The grant is effective from April 1, 1997 to March 31, 2000. This grant is sponsored by the federal government and allows for the hiring of four (4) additional full-time positions. The grant is for $268,568.00 with matching funds of $89,524.00 for a total of $358,092.00. Sheriff Glass requested the use of the $30,000.00 he returned from the previous budget year and had requested be available for the additional expenses if the grant was awarded. The grant must be accepted 45 days from April 21, 1997. Chairman Yearty appointed a committee of Comm. Dean, Mr. Billy Cobb, Mr. Greg Beauchamp, Mr. Douglas McKoy and Sheriff Ted Glass to review the grant and the Sheriff Office budget and will report at the May 6, 1997 regular meeting.

 ROAD MAINTENANCE

Mr. Justin Watson presented a request for road maintenance on a one (1) time basis as follows:

NW 76th Avenue from NW 142nd Street to NW 144th Street in Suwannee River Highlands, dedicated right of way.

Comm. Lindsey moved to maintain the road on a one (1) time basis for grading and paint with rock. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 COUNTY CONSULTANT

Mr. Herb Heesch informed the board that the Suwannee River Water Management District would be meeting on April 23, 1997 to have further discussions on the water management plan. The topic should be the first draft on storm water control.

Mr. Heesch said that the final workshop for the Planning Board will be held April 24, 1997. Mr. Heesch said that public response had been poor, but the public input which had been received would be of valuable assistance in future land use plans.

 JUVENILE JUSTICE

Mrs. Jacqueline Martin presented the contract for the Juvenile Justice grant which provides funding for the program and counseling. The contract is an agreement with the University of Florida. The agreement is the same as last year’s providing for funding and counseling in the Juvenile Justice program. Comm. Dean moved to approve the agreement for the Juvenile Justice program. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 PARKS DEPARTMENT

Comm. Dean said that the Parks Department wanted to explore the possibility of providing a shelter for the outdoor activities at the county’s recreational park. It was agreed that the budget for the remaining physical year would be reviewed and consideration would be given to the issue.

 CITIZEN INPUT

Mr. Ron Grant inquired on the result of the water management meeting held in Williston several months ago. Mr. Grant was informed that the Levy County Water Plan is available for review.

 BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

Mr. Billy Cobb said that the interviews for an architect would begin next month for the planned construction of a Building and Zoning and Emergency Medical Services building.

 EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES DIRECTOR

Chairman Yearty opened the interviews for the Emergency Medical Services Director at 1:00 p.m. The interview committee submitted the names of the three (3) finalists for public interviews by the Board. Mr. Bill Beddow, Mr. David Brittin and Mr. Richard Greig were interviewed for the position.

Mr. Billy Cobb announced that Mr. Beddow was married to his wife’s half-sister. Mr. Cobb contacted County Attorney, Greg Beauchamp upon receiving Mr. Beddow’s application and was advised that the relationship was distanced from the nepotism rule.

At the close of the interview, ballots were submitted by each individual Commissioner and upon being notified of a majority vote for Mr. Bill Beddow the Chairman requested a motion to formally accept the applicant.

Comm. Foley moved to offer the position of Emergency Medical Services Director to Mr. Bill Beddow. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

Comm. Foley moved to offer a salary of $27,000.00 for the position of Emergency Medical Services Director. Comm. Lindsey seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

Mr. Bill Beddow accepted the position of Emergency Medical Services Director at an annual salary of $27,000.00. Mr. Beddow said that he would be able to begin employment within two (2) weeks to thirty (30) days.

Chairman Yearty stated that all three (3) applicants were extremely qualified for the position and it had been a difficult decision to select one individual.

Chairman Yearty asked Mr. Cobb to send a letter of thanks to the Mr. Brittin and Mr. Greig for their interest in the position. Mr. Cobb said that a response had been sent to the applicants not in the final selection.

 YOUTH ACTIVITIES

Comm. Foley said that the $1,500.00 contribution to the City of Chiefland approved at the last regular meeting for the youth participating in the little league programs could not be a contribution to the City of Chiefland for an offset of the electrical billings for a facility privately owned. Comm. Foley said that the $1,500.00 would be contributed directly to the Chiefland Youth League, a nonprofit organization, for children in the county who participate in little league.

THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE MEETING ADJOURNED.

Sammy Yearty, Board Chairman

ATTEST:

Douglas M. McKoy, Clerk of Court