REGULAR MEETING
LEVY COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
May 19, 1998
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Levy County Commissioners was held on May 19, 1998 at 9:00 a.m. in the Levy County Board of County Commissioners’ meeting room, with the following Commissioners present:
Chairman Don Foley
Vice Chairman Don Lindsey
Comm. Wilbur Dean
Comm. Sammy Yearty
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. Dean followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
EXPENDITURES
Comm. Dean moved to approve the following expenditures presented for payment. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
FUND AMOUNT
CHECK NUMBERS: 13091-13344 (VOIDS 13091 )
GENERAL FUND $217,655.51
ROAD & BRIDGE FUND 43,511.59
LOCAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE 10,704.00
FINE & FORFEITURE FUND 50,162.30
E911 COMMUNICATIONS 6,284.25
LANDFILL & RECYCLING 9,344.09
FLORIDA POWER GRANT FUND 256.40
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE 10,309.92
LOCAL LAW ENF BLOCK GRANT 2,433.35
SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION 3,519.71
FIRE CONTROL FUND 32,021.27
INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMM 750.00
UTILITIES FUND 591.19
MSTU-RAINBOW LAKES ESTATE 28.21
TOTAL $387.571.79
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
Comm. Yearty said he had looked at a number of available sites for the Advanced Life Support station in Cedar Key and has been unable to find a site for less than $600.00 to $1,000.00 per month. Comm. Yearty said the committee was recommending using the county property located at the intersection of SR 24 and CR 347 for the Advanced Life Support unit to be stationed. Comm. Yearty said the Department of Transportation (DOT) had been contacted and do not have an objection in placing the station at this intersection. Comm. Yearty moved to authorize Mr. Bill Beddow and Mr. Billy Cobb to purchase a used mobile home for the Advanced Life Support station to serve the Cedar Key area. Comm. Lindsey seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
ORDINANCE
Mr. Noel Desmond requested an amendment to the Junk and Debris Ordinance to be amended based on the recommendations of the citizens committee. Chairman Foley said a written request needs to be submitted outlining the specific areas of the ordinance where a change is being requested and a detail of the change and how the current writing of the ordinance will create a hardship to the public. Chairman Foley said when this information is received is will be presented to the board for consideration of advertising a new public hearing to amend the ordinance. Comm. Dean said he preferred to allow the Junk and Debris ordinance to be in effect for a period of time prior to making any amendments to the recently passed ordinance.
STATE AGENCIES
Mr. Don West with the Division of Forestry presented a check in the amount of $111,267.70 as payment in lieu of taxes to the Board and he presented the same amount to Mr. Paul Johnson, Superintendent of Schools. Mr. West said the dividends are from incomes received from public use of state lands no longer on the tax rolls.
SHIP
Mr. C. W. Gilbert said he wanted to know if federal funds were used to fund any of the SHIP program. Mr. Gilbert said he also was inquiring on checks issued to Security Title without any further elaboration on his question. Mrs. Carol McQueen said there are no federal funds involved in the SHIP program. Mrs. McQueen said no checks are issued which have not had approval by the Board. Mrs. McQueen added the applicant for SHIP funds contact their own financial institution and title company and is not controlled in any way by SHIP. Comm. Dean said if Mr. Gilbert had any information of wrong doing he would recommend this being submitted to the State Attorneys Office.
TAX CERTIFICATES
Mr. Billy Cobb said a bid request for a tax certificate has been received from Mrs. Mary McBride for property owned by the county. Comm. Dean moved to approve the bid offer. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
INSURANCE
Mr. Billy Cobb said the employee health insurance needs to be advertised for bids for the renewal period. Mr. Cobb said the rates currently being honored by AvMed will increase since they assumed Ultramedix’s contract at the quoted rates. Chairman Foley asked for discussion on advertising bids or requesting the agent of record, Nature Coast Insurance Agency to solicit quotes for health coverage. Comm. Dean moved to have the agent of record to solicit quotes to be presented to the insurance committee. Comm. Lindsey seconded. Sheriff Glass asked to have his personnel included in the quote for the county with the understanding he was also requesting quotes for coverage. Comm. Dean said all of the constitutional officers should be notified of the solicitation for quotes for health coverage and the MOTION CARRIED.
ROAD & BRIDGE DEPARTMENT
Mr. Skip Hammell said a bill has been received from CSX Railroad in the amount of $23,000.00 for repairs to the railroad crossing at the Winding Oaks Subdivision. Mr. Hammell said the developer was to pay for the repairs at the crossing and an agreement had been signed to that affect. Mr. Greg Beauchamp said Mr. Hammell should direct the billing from CSX Railroad to the developer for handling. Comm. Davis said he had been informed by CSX Railroad that the crossing in Morriston should have repairs beginning around June 15, 1998.
ROAD MAINTENANCE
Mr. Skip Hammell presented the following roads for maintenance on a one (1) time basis:
Trim limbs on N. W. 130th Street in Doe Run, ½ mile long, dedicated right-of-way.
Comm. Lindsey moved to approve maintenance on a one (1) time basis. Comm. Dean seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
N. E. 78th Place in North-South Estates, Unit 2, 1/4 mile long, 50' dedicated right-of-way, five (5) loads of rock.
Comm. Dean moved to approve maintenance on a one (1) time basis. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
N. E. 100th Court and N. E. 69th Place, six (6) loads rock and grade, 50' right-of-way.
Comm. Dean moved to approve maintenance on a one (1) time basis. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
N. E. 80th Street, two (2) loads of limerock and grade, 50' right-of-way, University Estates.
Comm. Dean moved to approve maintenance on a one (1) time basis. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
Mr. Skip Hammell presented the following with a recommendation to be accepted into the maintenance system.
Remainder of Cutler Road (LCR 1099) in Black Jack Ridge Estates, 2,218' (0.42) mile long.
Mr. Hammell said the acceptance of LCR 1099 would complete a maintenance circle and would allow a more efficient maintenance cycle. Comm. Dean moved to accept the recommendation of Cutler Road (LCR 1099) into the maintenance system. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
GRANTS
Sheriff Ted Glass said approval was needed to submit a grant application for an Antidrug Abuse Grant. Sheriff Glass said Cedar Key Police Department, Dixie County Sheriff Office and Gilchrist County Sheriff Office had rejoined the task force and the grant application has been amended to include funding for the Gilchrist County Sheriff Office. Sheriff Glass said the matching funds would be $30,539 for Levy County and $10,180.00 from Gilchrist County. Sheriff Glass said the total amount of funds would be $155,583.00. Sheriff Glass added the match funds for Levy County would be generated from the forfeiture fund and would not have an impact on the General Fund. Comm. Dean moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the grant application and letter of acknowledgment. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
SHERIFF
Sheriff Glass said the current computer system in operation is not compliant with the year 2000 and he is searching for a computer product to replace the current system. Sheriff Glass said he is researching a federal grant under the COPS and MORE program where funding may be obtained. Sheriff Glass said he will be asking for a waiver of matching funds but is uncertain if this would be granted and he would be unable to meet the match funds from his budget. Comm. Davis moved to authorize the application for grant funds with a decision for matching funds to be discussed at a later date if the application is approved. Comm. Lindsey seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
SHIP
Mrs. Carol McQueen said she had a subordination agreement for a SHIP applicant who is having financial difficulty and is securing a second mortgage from their first mortgage lender. Mrs. McQueen said this would place the county as the third mortgage holder and Mr. Greg Beauchamp has approved the context of the agreement. Comm. Lindsey moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the subordination agreement. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
FESTIVALS
Mrs. Carol McQueen said the first annual "Bird Fest" was held in Fanning Springs. Mrs. McQueen said the "Bird Fest" was sponsored by the North Florida Regional Development Council to promote economic growth in the area. Mrs. McQueen said the programs presented by various state agencies were beneficial and plans are proceeding for next year’s "Bird Fest"
GRANTS
Mrs. Carol McQueen said the Community Development Block Grant application is proceeding and will shortly begin the process of hiring an engineer for the Neighborhood Revitalization road paving projects. Mrs. McQueen said the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) is preparing the contract and funding should be forthcoming with an environmental process review also being done in the near future.
Mrs. McQueen said almost all of the right-of-way easements have been obtained for N. E. 105th Avenue, one of the road paving projects for the grant. Mrs. McQueen said Mr. Robert Huberdault is deeding an additional easement and has requested an agreement reverting ownership to him from the county if the project is not done. Comm. Davis moved to authorize the reverting ownership to Mr. Huberdault if the road paving project is not completed. Comm. Lindsey seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
STATE AGENCIES
Mr. Greg Beauchamp said the inter local agreements with Withlacoochee Regional Planning Council for the state-wide hazard mitigation strategy and the county and area cities had been prepared and were ready for approval. Mr. Beauchamp said the agreements provide a contractual agreement for the funding to be paid to Withlacoochee Regional Planning Council for the preparation of the hazard mitigation strategy on the behalf of the county and cooperating cities. Comm. Yearty moved to authorize the interlocal agreement for the state-wide hazard mitigation strategy. Comm. Lindsey seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
COUNTY EMPLOYEE
Comm. Dean moved to approve Todd Crews from Equipment Operator II at $8.6132 to Equipment Operator II at $9.0585 with the Road Department. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
UTILITIES
Comm. Davis said the installation of the tanks and pipes at the Manatee Water System is proceeding as scheduled and the deadline for compliance with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) should be met.
Comm. Davis said DEP has requested compliance on repairing water lines and line leaks at the University Oaks Water System. Comm. Davis said difficulties have arisen with using equipment which is to large for the repairs to the water lines in University Oaks. Comm. Davis said he was recommending purchasing a 4-wheel drive back hoe with a front-end loader with a price range of $19,000.00 to $25,000.00 for use at both water systems and for the road department. Comm. Dean said he would recommend waiving the bid process due to an emergency situation for repairs to the University Oaks Water System to meet the compliance deadline set by the DEP. Comm. Davis moved the solicit quotes for a 4-wheel drive back hoe with a front-end loader with appropriate documentation to support waiving the bid process. Comm. Yearty seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
Comm. Davis said the water systems are requiring numerous working hours for repairs, water testing and maintenance and he recommended hiring an employee to handle the testing and maintenance. Comm. Davis said the employee could be placed in the Maintenance & Construction Department supervised by Mr. Jimmy Jones and be available for other work which may be necessary in this department. Comm. Davis moved to advertise for an employee in the Maintenance & Construction Department. Comm. Yearty seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
PLANNING, COUNTY
Comm. Yearty said he was recommending Mrs. Krista Kelly to prepare a study for a brochure with general county information to be provided to the general public. Comm. Yearty asked for Mrs. Kelly to discuss the project with the constitutional officers and various departments and to provide a cost estimate for preparing a brochure.
COUNTY EMPLOYEES
Comm. Yearty said with the population growth and the increase of duties being handled by Mr. Billy Cobb, Administrative Assistant to the Board he recommended hiring an assistant to Mr. Cobb to handle general administrative duties, code enforcement, operation of the water systems and other duties which may arise. Comm. Yearty moved to advertise for a position of assistant to the Administrative Assistant with the personnel committee interviewing the applicants and making a recommendation. Comm. Davis seconded and Comm. Dean said the position needed to define the responsibilities between code enforcement and general administrative duties and the MOTION CARRIED.
THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE MEETING ADJOURNED.
Don Foley, Board Chairman
ATTEST:
Douglas M. McKoy, Clerk of Court