REGULAR MEETING
LEVY COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
August 5, 1997
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Levy County Commissioners was held on August 5, 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:
County Attorney Gregory V. Beauchamp
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.
FUND AMOUNT
CHECK NUMBERS: 9001-9197 (VOIDS 9002; 9186)
GENERAL FUND $617,216.96
ROAD & BRIDGE FUND 29,570.18
LOCAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE 6,262.50
FINE & FORFEITURE FUND 4,953.46
LANDFILL & RECYCLING 15,181.94
LAW ENFORCEMENT TRUST FUND 8,640.70
FLORIDA POWER GRANT FUND 758.08
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE 12,818.22
FIRE CONTROL FUND 7,579.78
DEBT SERV 500,000.00
TOTAL $1,212,861.98
Comm. Foley moved to approve the bills. Comm. Lindsey seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
MINUTES
Comm. Davis moved to approve the minutes for the regular meeting of July 22, 1997. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
BUDGET
Board Secretary, Mrs. Jacqueline Martin said that the EMS Department requested a budget amendment of $274.94 which consists of $127.02 a carry over of the grant from last year and $147.92 in accrued interest. Comm. Davis moved to approve the line item budget amendment. Comm. Dean seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
Mrs. Jacqueline Martin, Board Secretary said the Budget Workshop for 1997-98 will be held on Thursday, August 14, 1997 at 9:00 a.m. and a public notice has been prepared.
ROAD CLOSING
Mr. Greg Beauchamp, County Attorney read a resolution into the record for proposed closing of a ditch located at: That certain Lateral Ditch lying North of Levy County Road C-343 in Section 24, Township 12 South, Range 18 East.
Comm. Davis moved to adopt the resolution and advertise the public hearing. Comm. Dean seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
RESOLUTION
County Attorney, Mr. Greg Beauchamp said after reviewing the packet from Mr. Jimmy Brooks of South West Florida Water Management District that he would recommend a resolution for the "local resources first" be adopted and submitted to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor and the legislative delegation to consider appointing a task force for the "local resources first".
Comm. Dean moved to adopt the resolution for the "local resources first". Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
PLANNING COUNTY
Mr. Herb Heesch, County Planner said that the Planning Commission had made recommendations for the commercial nodes allocation and a public workshop would be held on August 5, 1995 at 1:30 p.m. to discuss the recommendations.
Mr. Heesch said that the Evaluation and Appraisal Report was complete except for the information on housing needs. Mr. Heesch said that Ms. Lois Bush of the Regional Planning Council was compiling information received and would be preparing a report and then he would be able to complete the Evaluation and Appraisal Report. Mr. Heesch said that the University of Florida was preparing documentation with two (2) methodologies for the report on expected growth.
County Planner, Mr. Herb Heesch said that the Planning Commission is reviewing the zoning in the sand hills area which has been designated a high rate of platted subdivisions and a minimum agriculture use within the Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Mr. Heesch said that requests had been made to review the land use designation and that the Planning Commission may make a recommendation to the Board.
Mr. Heesch said that a water plan drafted by a committee of Mr. Herb Heesch, Mr. Lee Mills, Mr. Skip Hammell, and Mr. Rob Corbitt had been completed and submitted to the Planning Commission and Suwannee River Water Management District for their recommendations. Mr. Heesch said that a recommendation would be submitted.
Mr. Herb Heesch said that the ordinance for clubs was being reviewed with consideration to how other counties address the issue of clubs and reviewing the advantages and disadvantages of amending the current ordinance. Mr. Heesch said a recommendation would be submitted in the next several weeks.
Mr. Rick Hale of Lake Stafford Country Club asked what type problems were occurring from clubs. Chairman Yearty said that the matter was being studied by the Planning Department and the County Attorney and that this issue could not be discussed without the advice of the County Attorney due to pending court litigation.
ROADS, STATE
Mr. Robert H. Ayers, Regional Planner with the Florida Department of Transportation gave the Five (5) Year Work Program planned for Levy County. The projects are as follows:
Abandon RR/Williston, US27 to NW 5th Place, sidewalk
CR337, SR24 to CR32, sidewalk
SR24, 4th Street to Whiddon Avenue, sidewalk
SR45,SR45/US41 & E 4th Street, traffic signal update
SR45/US41, SR121/Williston Road to Alachua Co. line, pave shoulders
SR45/US41, @ SR121/CR316, intersection (minor)
SR500/E. Noble Road, Williston to Xing #622535-S, Railroad crossing
SR500/US27 Alt, SR55/Chiefland to CR339A, add lanes & reconstruct
SR500/US27 Alt, CR339A to SR24/Bronson, add lanes & reconstruct
SR500/US27 Alt, SR24/Bronson to CR318/Williston, right of way acquisition
SR500/US27 Alt, W of CR1012/Bronson to CR241, add lanes & reconstruct
SR500/US27 Alt, CR241 to NW 6th Street/Williston, add lanes & reconstruct
SR500/US27 Alt, @ SR24, traffic signal update
US19/98/Fanning Springs, Gilchrist County line to CR55A, resurfacing
Mr. Ayers said that each project has different phases for the next five years consisting of a Preliminary Engineering Phase, Right of Way Phase or Construction Phase.
Chairman Yearty asked Mr. Skip Hammell of the Road and Bridge Department to compile a list of roads to be considered by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for projects and submit it to Mr. Ayers as per his request.
Comm. Foley asked if any of the projects on US27 Alt included the overpass in Chiefland. Mr. Clifton Ward with the Traffic Operations of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) said that discussions for location sights were proceeding and that the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) would be installing an overpass, but at this time were not certain of the location. Mr. Ward will be providing Comm. Foley with the findings of the committee on the location of the overpass.
Mr. Robert Ayers said that an assessment of the Florida intrastate highways US19 and SR500 reviewing the Levy County Comprehensive Land Use Plan consistency with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) standards. Mr. Ayers said that he has been discussing with Mr. Rob Corbitt the findings.
Comm. Foley asked who was responsible for the caution light at the intersection of SR24 and US19/98 in Otter Creek. Comm. Foley said that the City of Otter Creek had sent notice that they were unable to continue maintenance of the caution light. Chairman Yearty asked why should the county be responsible for a caution light located within a city limit at an intersection of a federal highway and a state road. Mr. Clifton Ward is to prepare a response to Mr. Skip Hammell. Chairman Yearty said that the county was not willing to assume responsibility for the caution light at this time.
ROAD AND BRIDGE DEPARTMENT
Mr. Skip Hammell said that advertisements for materials for the ensuing year needed to be issued. Comm. Dean moved to advertise for materials for the Road and Bridge Department. Comm. Lindsey seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
Mr. Hammell presented proposed changes for the MSTU Road Maintenance. A public hearing will be advertised to adopt a resolution for the proposed changes if they are approved.
ROAD MAINTENANCE
Mr. Skip Hammell presented a request to repair on a one (1) time basis the following:
SE 33rd Street from US41 to SE 197th Court, right of way dedicated to the public.
Comm. Dean moved to authorize the repair on a one (1) time basis. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Mr. Bill Beddow said that the July figures for the ambulance runs had been submitted for review.
Mr. Beddow displayed a monthly newsletter which he has designed to attach to the first pay check each month for Emergency Management Services (EMS) personnel. He said that he would use the newsletter to improve employee morale, notification of continuing education classes offered and items of general interest to the employees.
SHERIFF
Sheriff Ted Glass requested $40,000.00 from the contingency fund for 1997 transferred to the working account for line items. Comm. Lindsey moved to approve the request. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
SHIP
Mrs. Susan Haines presented a Deferred Payment Loan Agreement for the following:
Geraldine Robinson, 3591 NE 217th Court, Williston, Florida, for $6,133.50.
Comm. Davis moved to approve the Deferred Payment Loan Agreement. Comm. Dean seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
ZONING
The public hearing for a Small Scale Plan Amendment opened at 10:00 a.m. to review and consider adoption of an ordinance and resolution for the following:
Application No. SS97-1 Robert Juli applying for a Small Scale Plan Amendment from RR to C-3 on a parcel of land in the SW 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of Section 18, Township 14S, Range 19E in Levy County. The parcel contains 3.22 acres more or less.
Mr. Greg Beauchamp read the resolution for the record. There was no opposition presented. Mr. Robert Juli spoke in favor of the amendment. Mr. Rob Corbitt said that if the ordinance was approved for the Small Scale Plan Amendment, it would be submitted to the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and there would be a thirty (30) day period for any appeals to be filed.
Comm. Davis moved to adopt the ordinance and resolution for the Small Scale Plan Amendment. Comm. Dean seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
TAX COLLECTOR
Mr. Greg Beauchamp said that the agreement with the Tax Collector, Mr. Donald Richburg, to prepare the annual Non-Ad Valorem Special Assessment Roll in compatible electronic medium and the collection of those non-ad valorem assessments needed to be approved. Mr. Beauchamp said that the agreement had not been changed from last year’s agreement. Comm. Davis moved to approve the agreement. Comm. Lindsey seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
COMMISSIONERS
Chairman Yearty asked Mr. Greg Beauchamp to discuss special assessments at the budget hearings.
Comm. Davis presented a Certificate of Appreciation received from Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute for the support of Project Wave aquaculture training in Cedar Key.
BUILDING AND GROUNDS
Comm. Foley asked Mr. Greg Beauchamp, County Attorney to review the 1992 bond issue used for the construction of the jail and the court house expansion to determine if it would be to the best interest of the county for an early retirement of the bond or a reduction in the bond amount.
PLANNING, COUNTY
Comm. Davis said that the interviews for the County Planner have been scheduled and that the committee will be presenting their recommendations of the top three (3) candidates at the next regular meeting.
PARKS AND RECREATION
Comm. Dean said that Mr. Wayne Hardee had requested a budget amendment from the general fund in the amount of $12,000.00 to complete the fiscal year for estimated expenditures. Comm. Dean moved to approve the budget amendment. Comm. Lindsey seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
COUNTY PLANNING
The public workshop commenced at 1:30 p.m. to review the allocation of commercial nodes throughout the county. Mr. Herb Heesch said that he has studied the commercial nodes allocated within the Comprehensive Land Use Plan and there are approximately fifty (50) commercial nodes. Mr. Heesch said that the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) has indicated that the location of the commercial nodes and the allocated size is promoting urban sprawl. Mr. Heesch said that consideration should be made in reducing the number of commercial nodes or reducing the size of the commercial nodes.
Mr. Heesch said a reduction in the commercial nodes in the rural areas would allow the land owners at a later date to obtain a Small Scale Plan Amendment. Mr. Heesch said that the commercial nodes on the arterial roadway system should remain unchanged. Mr. Heesch said to consider would be a reduction in the size of the commercial nodes. He said presently each commercial node encompasses 160 acres. Mr. Heesch said that some other counties are developing rural centers for the commercial growth.
Chairman Yearty said after discussion by the Board to inform the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) that consideration would be made to alter the commercial nodes by reducing the acreage to 80 acres from 160 acres, 1/4 mile length on the roadway and 660 feet in depth. The consensus was to make no further reductions in the commercial nodes without further public hearings.
Mr. Barney Cannon, Planning Board member indicated that he thought there should be a reduction in the commercial nodes.
Mr. Heesch said that the commercial node that is shown in the wrong location on the map will be corrected when the map is redrawn and that a narrative will be attached with the transmittal which explains that the correction was a scrivener’s error.
Mr. Heesch said that Comm. Dean and he will be meeting with Mr. Jeff Biellings, Department of Community Affairs (DCA) on August 15, 1997 concerning the commercial nodes and will also address the issue of the land use for Mr. Cook of Williston. Mr. Heesch said that the City of Williston must also agree to include Mr. Cook’s property in their Municipal Service District (MSD) to secure the commercial zoning.
Mr. Heesch said that the Planning Board will be holding twice monthly meetings to attempt to resolve several pending issues.
THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE MEETING ADJOURNED.
Sammy Yearty, Board Chairman
ATTEST:
Douglas M. McKoy, Clerk of Court