REGULAR MEETING " \l 3

LEVY COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

May 20, 1997

 The Regular Meeting of the Board of Levy County Commissioners was held on May 20, 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. Herb Heesch followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

EXPENDITURES

 The following expenditures were presented for payment.

 FUND                                                              AMOUNT
 CHECK NUMBERS: 8016-8166; 8168-8172 (VOIDS 8015; 8167)

 GENERAL FUND                                        $ 79,677.48

 ROAD & BRIDGE FUND                               33,425.20

 LOCAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE                     506.00

 FINE & FORFEITURE FUND                          6,591.89

 EMERGENCY 911                                            5,227.39

 LANDFILL & RECYCLING                           10,842.28

 LAW ENFORCEMENT TRUST FUND           7,097.95

 EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE             12,131.15

 FIRE CONTROL FUND                                   7,585.03

 ST GRANT JUVENILE JUSTICE                     5,230.00

 MSTU-RAINBOW LAKES ESTATE             92,452.55

                                                        TOTAL $260,766.92

Comm. Davis moved to accept the bills as presented. Comm. Dean seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 MINUTES

Comm. Dean moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting on May 6, 1997. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 HEALTH INSURANCE

Board Secretary Jacqueline Martin opened the bids for the health insurance coverage for county employees. The following bids were received:

Signature Group

The Alliance Group

AvMed

The Florida League of Cities

Florida Municipal Insurance Trust

Blue Cross and Blue Shield

PCA Insurance presented by Willard Palmer and Dub Palmer Insurance Company

PCA Insurance from Jack Simmons Insurance and Financial Services

PCA Insurance from Mark Anderson, Signature Insurance Group

PCA Insurance from Newcomb Wasson of Nature Coast Insurance

Ultra Medix from Nature Coast Insurance, Inc.

Chairman Yearty appointed a committee of Mr. Billy Cobb, Board Secretary Jacqueline Martin, and Comm. Foley to review the bids and provide a recommendation for the top three (3) bids.

 NATURE COAST GREEN WAY

Mr. Robert Moeller made a presentation for the Nature Coast Green way. Mr. Moeller reminded the Board that the Board had previously adopted a resolution supporting the purchase of the abandoned COX Railway through Dixie, Levy and Gilchrist County totaling 31.66 miles (see minutes of June 6, 1995).

Mr. Moeller asked the Board to enter into an interlocal agreement with Dixie and Gilchrist counties to set the Green way project as its first priority for the use of ISTEA funds. He explained that ISTEA funds are Federal funds used for the purpose of enhancement of public roadways and sidewalks and not road construction.

The Nature Coast Green way would be a dual purpose recreational pathway consisting of a 10 feet wide paved path connecting the towns and an equestrian trail along side the paved pathway and will have a tremendous economic impact on the counties and cities in these areas. Mr. Moeller said the Suwannee River Water Management District has agreed to provide an engineer to design the green way and to prepare the application for the grant funding. The counties are being asked to contribute the limerock for the construction of the green way. Dixie County has 11.65 miles to pave, Gilchrist County has 11.66 and Levy County has 8.35 miles to be paved.

Mr. Moeller also presented a joint resolution requesting that the Nature Coast Green way become part of the Florida Park System for in kind systems. This resolution would allow that the Florida State Division of Parks to become the overall manager of the green way and would request the legislature to provide the funding for the manpower to oversee the green way system.

Mr. Douglas McKoy inquired as to the length of commitment being requested on the ISTEA funds. Mr. Moeller indicated the request is being made for a commitment of the funds until the green way is completed.

Mr. Herb Heesch said that he thought Chiefland and Bronson has benefited from this program in the past years. Mr. Heesch said that he knew that Williston had been waiting for three (3) years and would be bumped again if this commitment of ISTEA funding was made to the green way.

Mrs. Carol McQueen indicated that Fanning Springs has been working on this project and that Levy County has a large interest in the Fanning Springs Park. Mrs. McQueen said that the green way was needed in the three (3) counties for economic and recreation impact to the area.

Mr. Robert Mount requested that the Board consider committing the ISTEA funds to the green way for the economic impact and recreational aspects to the communities.

Chairman Yearty expressed additional concern for the cities of Inglis and Yankeetown who have been awaiting funding assistance for a sidewalk from Inglis to the South Levy Recreational Park. Comm. Yearty acknowledged the importance of the economic impact the Trail would have on the county.

After further discussion Comm. Lindsey moved to adopt the resolution and interlocal agreement establishing the Green way Trail as priority for ISTEA funds and providing limerock for the Levy portion of the Trail as needed. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 SHERIFF

Sheriff Ted Glass said that the impending grant application for the Edward Byrnes Memorial Grant needed to be completed. Sheriff Glass said that the county needed to indicate that the EEOC requirements were understood and that the conditions of the grant had been read and were understood. Comm. Davis moved to accept the conditions of the Edward Byrnes Memorial Grant. Comm. Dean seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 JUVENILE JUSTICE

Chief Olin Slaughter of the Williston Police Department made a presentation as Chairman of the Juvenile Justice program. Chief Slaughter presented three (3) special awards to present to outstanding young people. The nominations for the awards were made by teachers, peers and leaders in the community. The Life-Turn Around Award recipient was Tina Ogle. The Service to the Community Award recipient was Gary Y. Miller, Jr. and the Service to School Award recipient was Rebecca Barber.

 WITHLACHOOCHEE REGIONAL PLANNING COUNCIL

Ms. Lois Bush of the Withlachoochee Regional Planning Council for the Levy County Transportation Disadvantaged made the following recommendations for appointments and reappointments to the coordinating board:

Veterans - Mr. Billy Cobb, voting member and Mr. Leo Flynn, alternate membership, term July 1997 to June 2000.

Community Action Agency - Ms. Verlinda McDaniel, voting member replacing Ms. Sandra Brown, membership term July 1995 to June 1998.

Representative of Handicapped Citizens - Mr. David Summerton, voting member replacing Mr. Tony McClue, membership term July 1995 to June 1998.

Citizens Representative - Ms. Iris Garner, voting member (filling a vacancy), membership term July 1996 to June 1999.

Agency for Health Care Administration - Ms. Maia Stirling, voting member replacing Ms. Christine Hall, no membership term, state agency position.

Comm. Foley moved to appoint and/or reappoint the names recommended for the Levy County Transportation Disadvantaged Coordinating Board. Comm. Lindsey seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 AMBULANCE

Mr. Billy Cobb said that Liberty Ambulance which has the contract for Rainbow Lakes Estates and Nature Coast Hospital requires a Certificate of Need for transportation on non-emergency cases. Comm. Dean moved to approve the Certificate of Need. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES

Mr. Billy Cobb requested authorization to bid for a utility service vehicle for the Emergency Medical Service Director. Chairman Yearty said that the budget has been reviewed and funds are available for the purchase. Comm. Davis moved to advertise for a utility service vehicle for the Emergency Medical Service Director. Comm. Lindsey seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 NON-AD VALOREM ASSESSMENT

Mr. Billy Cobb presented a Certificate of Correction of Non-Ad Valorem Assessment Roll for Mr. Don N. and Mrs. Lila Mae Curry. The second residence on the property in uninhabitable and is used for storage. Comm. Lindsey moved to approve the Certificate of Correction. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 ROAD DEPARTMENT/MAINTENANCE

Mr. Justin Watson made a recommendation for the following roads to be repaired on a one (1) time basis:

N. E. 90th Street in Forest Park Unit 2with a dedicated right-of-way.

Comm. Dean moved to fix on a one (1) time basis. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

N. E. 90th Street and N. E. 95th Avenue in University Estates with a dedicated right-of-way.

Comm. Dean moved to fix on a one (1) time basis. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

S. E. 186th Avenue in Gilmore Acres with a dedicated right-of-way.

Comm. Davis moved to fix on a one (1) time basis. Comm. Dean seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

BUILDING AND ZONING

Mr. Rob Corbitt said that he would not be present at the next regular meeting as he will be attending a Governor’s Conference for Hurricane Preparedness.

Mr. Rob Corbitt requested permission to advertise for a clerk’s position. Mr. Corbitt said that it would entail a budget amendment. Comm. Foley moved to advertise for a new clerk’s position in Building and Zoning. Comm. Lindsey seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

Chairman Yearty said that Building and Zoning needs to consider upgrading their computer program and this should be reviewed.

Mr. Douglas M. McKoy advised that he has been researching, at no cost to the county, a computer network system for the entire county. He said it would have a capacity to provide automation for specific departmental needs including personnel and financial programs. Mr. McKoy said that he would be providing further information at a later date.

 4-H AWARDS BANQUET

Mr. Albert Fuller issued an invitation to the Board for the 4-H Awards Banquet on May 26, 1997.

 RAINBOW LAKES ESTATE

Mr. Douglas M. McKoy said that there is a bill for payment in the amount of $92,000.00 for road paving in Rainbow Lakes Estate.

 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT

Mr. Douglas M. McKoy said that it is necessary to adopt two (2) resolutions for the Community Development Block Grant. The first resolution is to establish a Community Development Plan for the county. The seconded resolution is for the adoption of an Anti-Displacement and Relocation Plan. Mr. McKoy said the resolutions are standard and are required for the purpose of acquiring federal grant funds.

Comm. Davis moved to adopt the two (2) resolutions. Comm. Dean seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 PERSONNEL

Comm. Dean presented two (2) personnel recommendation changes for consideration by the Board.

Paula Edwards- Emergency Management: change the classification of Secretary III to Administrative Assistant I, Step 2 with a payroll rate of $8.2793 per hour.

Comm. Dean moved to accept the change of classification and increase in pay. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

Leo Flynn - Veterans Department: an increase in the rate of pay to $7.25.

Comm. Dean moved to increase the rate of pay. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

The increases and changes to be effective May 26, 1997.

 ROAD DEPARTMENT

Comm. Foley said that the Road Paving Priority Schedule has been reviewed and it has been determined that it would be more economical for the county to pave the roads instead of placing the paving out on a contract.

Comm. Foley moved for the county to pave the roads on the priority schedule in lieu of placing the paving out on a contract. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

Mr. Justin Watson of the Road Department will provide the Clerk of Court with the schedule of the roads to be paved by the county.

 NOISE ORDINANCE

Comm. Lindsey inquired on the status of the noise ordinance. Mr. Greg Beauchamp, County Attorney said that the county is still proceeding with the noise ordinance.

 COMMUNITY

Mr. Billy Cobb said that the county will be able to receive potatoes through a program by the Federal governments. There will be approximately 84,000 pounds of potatoes to be distributed throughout the county and they are for the public use and cannot be sold or placed in institutions.

THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE MEETING ADJOURNED.

Sammy Yearty, Board Chairman

ATTEST:

Douglas M. McKoy, Clerk of Court