REGULAR MEETING

LEVY COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

June 17, 1997

 The Regular Meeting of the Board of Levy County Commissioners was held on June 17, 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. 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 Comm. Foley followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

EXPENDITURES

 The following expenditures were presented for payment.

 FUND                                                              AMOUNT
CHECK NUMBERS: 8359-8552 (VOIDS 8370; 8371)

 GENERAL FUND                                       $108,685.45

 ROAD & BRIDGE FUND                               34,794.80

 LOCAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE                27,507.62

 FINE & FORFEITURE FUND                          9,415.92

 EMERGENCY 911                                            5,714.74

 LANDFILL & RECYCLING                             8,751.35

 LAW ENFORCEMENT TRUST FUND           6,502.22

 FLORIDA POWER GRANT FUND                    859.33

 EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE               6,273.30

 LOCAL LAW ENF BLOCK GRANT               2,155.68

 FIRE CONTROL FUND                                 14,382.75

                                                        TOTAL $225,043.16

Comm. Davis moved to approve the bills as presented. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 MINUTES

Comm. Foley moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting on June 3, 1997. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

CORRESPONDENCE

Board Secretary, Jacqueline Martin informed the Board that the Chiefland Watermelon Festival will be held on Saturday, June 21, 1997. She said that arrangements had been made for the board to be in the parade.

 BUDGET

Mrs. Jacqueline Martin, Board Secretary advised that a budget amendment increase for $2,506.79 is needed for the Airport Master Plan Grant for the fiscal year of 1996 to 1997. Mrs. Martin said that the major portion of the money will be reimbursed from the state. Comm. Davis moved to approve the budget amendment. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

Mrs. Jacqueline Martin, Board Secretary presented a request from the Road Department for line item budget amendment. She said that the amendment will allow for the payment of the drag line which had been approved for purchase. Comm. Foley moved to approve the budget amendment. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 TAX DEEDS

Mr. Greg Beauchamp said that two (2) parcels of land located in Jemlands have been placed on the "List of Lands Available for Taxes."

 LANDFILL/EQUIPMENT

Mr. Wayne Hardee requested authorization to advertise for a new bob cat machine for the landfill. He said that the equipment could be purchased with the recycling grant money. Mr. Hardee said that he plans to trade in one of the old bob cat machines and the purchase will be approximately $30,000.00. Comm. Foley moved to advertise for a new bob cat machine at the landfill. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 PLANNING

Chairman Yearty said that some permitted land uses for clubs on the east side of the county have caused the county to be exposed to litigation. Chairman Yearty said that there was an emergency situation that needed to be addressed and recommended a moratorium for all permits. Mr. Greg Beauchamp, County Attorney said that an ordinance would need to be adopted establishing the moratorium for a specified period of time. Comm. Davis moved to draft an emergency ordinance placing a moratorium on permits for clubs for six (6) months. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 INSURANCE

Comm. Foley reported that the committee had reviewed the health insurance bids received and was recommending Ultra-Medix as the new health care provider. Comm. Foley moved to accept the low bid from Ultra-Medix. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

Comm. Foley said that three (3) individual agencies had submitted bids for Ultra-Medix. Comm. Foley said that the committee would be meeting with the agencies individually to negotiate which agency would receive the bid award. Comm. Foley said that a log would be maintained in the commissioner’s office for any complaints and would be considered when the health insurance contract was rebid.

 LANDFILL

Chairman Yearty appointed a committee consisting of Mr. Billy Cobb, Mr. Lee Mills, Comm. Dean, Mr. Douglas McKoy, and Mrs. Donna Conquest to review the operations at the landfill and report on their physical and financial findings.

 COUNTY LAND

Mr. Greg Beauchamp said that he had prepared the lease agreement and had sent it to Ms. Leslie Storm for review for the leasing of space on the #4 bridge at Cedar Key. Mr. Beauchamp said that the lease was prepared for a year to year lease with a clause that either party can terminate the agreement with sixty (60) days notice, that there will be no designated parking spaces and that the facility users will not interfere with the public use of the boat ramp and bridge, that there will be advance approval by Mr. Lee Mills, the county engineer to determine the structural soundness of the bridge to support the facility, that the facility will meet all building codes, that the county will waive all fees for permits and that the City of Cedar Key will agree to indemnify and hold harmless for the construction and use of the facility. Comm. Davis moved to approve the lease subject to the findings by the engineer. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 COURT

Mr. Greg Beauchamp, County Attorney, said that the contract for the mediation services for the family program in Levy County had been received from Ms. Robin Davis. Mr. Beauchamp said that the contract was in order and that the primary source will continue from the authorized filing fees already in effect. Comm. Davis moved to approve the contract for mediation services. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 RESOLUTION

County Attorney, Mr. Greg Beauchamp read a proposed resolution received from Hernando County to protect the Withlacoochee River basin. Comm. Foley moved to adopt the resolution. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 ATTORNEY

Mr. Greg Beauchamp recommended that the board consider placing the law firm of Hogg, Allen, Norton and Blue on retainer for $750.00 annually. Mr. Beauchamp said that this firm is available for consultation in labor related matters and will provide information relating to labor matters on a regular basis. Comm. Davis moved to request a proposal in writing outlining the terms for retaining their services and what services would be provided on the retainer fee. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

FIRE PROTECTION

Comm. Foley moved to appoint Mr. Bill Beddow as liaison with the communities within the county where fire protection is offered by the county. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

Comm. Foley requested that Mr. Beddow investigate the problems at Fowlers Bluff and to report on his findings.

 DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

Mr. Rob Corbitt presented Petition No. SS97-1 for a small scale plan amendment for Mr. Robert Juli for a change from Rural Residential (RR) to Commercial (C-3) for a parcel of land located at:

the SW 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of Section 18, Township 14S, Range 19E, in Levy County. Said parcel contains 3.22 acres more or less.

Mr. Robert Juli said that he would be using the land to retain his dealer tags for selling trucks and tractors. He also has and repairs antique tractors. Mr. Corbitt said that the comprehensive land use plan allowed for the board to determine land use in unincorporated areas of the county. Mr. Corbitt said that a person is allowed to request one (1) small scale plan amendment every twelve (12) months.

Comm. Davis moved to grant the request for a small scale plan amendment from rural residential (RR) to commercial (C-3). Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 AGENCIES

Mr. Douglas McKoy said that he had received correspondence from Tri-County Senior Citizens Council and from Mid-Florida concerning the transfer of responsibility for the aging in the tri-county area. Mr. McKoy recommended that a committee be appointed to determine what is occurring and who will be responsible for benefits to the aging in the county. Chairman Yearty appointed Mr. Greg Beauchamp, Mr. Douglas McKoy and Comm. Davis to review the situation and report their findings.

 ATTORNEY, COUNTY AND STATE

Mr. Douglas McKoy reported an increase in the cost of the Special Public Defenders fees and as a result of discussion with County Judge Joseph E. Smith and Circuit Judge W. O. Beauchamp, Jr. the county would be able to save money if they advertised and contracted for the Special Public Defenders. Chairman Yearty appointed a committee of Mr. Greg Beauchamp, Mr. Douglas McKoy, Judge Joseph Smith, Judge W. O. Beauchamp and himself to review and report on the findings.

 COMMISSIONERS

Board Secretary, Mrs. Jacqueline Martin reminded the commissioners that the Williston Fourth of July parade will be held on July 3, 1997. The commissioners need to be present by 4:00 p.m.

MOSQUITO CONTROL

Mrs. Donna Conquest presented the budget for mosquito control. Comm. Davis moved to approve the budget for submission to the state for final approval. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 GRANTS

Mrs. Donna Conquest presented the grants and the interlocal agreements for the Small County, Litter Control and Prevention, Solid Waste Tire, Part I, Recycle Education Agreement. Comm. Davis moved to approve the grants and interlocal agreements. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 LANDFILL

Mrs. Donna Conquest requested authorization to advertise for a contractor to dispose of the hazardous waste for amnesty days. Comm. Foley moved to authorize the advertisement for a contractor. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 BUILDING AND GROUNDS

Comm. Davis reported that the committee appointed to review the bids received from the architectural firms and proceed with negotiations had met. Comm. Davis said that he would be reporting on the committee’s findings at the next regular meeting.

 DELINQUENT TAX

Chairman Yearty asked Mr. Rob Corbitt, Mr. Herb Heesch, Mr. Greg Beauchamp and Mr. Billy Cobb to review and make a recommendation to the board for property now owned by the county from delinquent taxes but is still homesteaded. Chairman Yearty requested a recommendation on how the county should respond for the liability exposure.

 ROAD CLOSING

The public hearing for proposed road closing opened at 10:30 a.m. as advertised. Ricky and Ginger Cooke requested the closure of that portion of road on SW 70th Street and SW 71st Lane in Cedar Key Mobile Home Village. Chairman Yearty asked if there was anyone who supported the road closure and there was no response. Mrs. Mary Dean spoke in opposition of the road closure. Mrs. Dean said that the road was the ingress and egress from her property. Mrs. Dean said the only alternate route was prone to severe flooding. Chairman Yearty said that some money had been spent by the county from the filing fee for advertising. Comm. Foley moved to deny the petition for road closure and to refund the petitioners complete filing fee. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 ROADS, COUNTY

Comm. Foley reported that he had attended a meeting with the Department of Transportation (DOT) and spoke to a Mr. Morefield concerning the condition of CR 339A at the rock pit used by the State of Florida. Comm. Foley said that Mr. Morefield was going to investigate the damage to the roadway and would notify the county if the state would repair the road.

THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE MEETING ADJOURNED.

Sammy Yearty, Board Chairman

ATTEST:

Douglas M. McKoy, Clerk of Court