REGULAR MEETING

LEVY COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

July 7, 1998

 The Regular Meeting of the Board of Levy County Commissioners was held on July 7, 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 Mr. Skip Hammell 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: 13750-14031 (VOIDS 13750;13763;14019 )

 GENERAL FUND                                 $171,124.45

 ROAD & BRIDGE FUND                         92,769.27

 LOCAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE            7,500.00

 FINE & FORFEITURE FUND                    8,336.36

 E911 COMMUNICATIONS                      5,441.27

 LANDFILL & RECYCLING                     21,997.49

 FLORIDA POWER GRANT FUND           6,875.15

 EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE       19,404.35

 SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION                     3,891.60

 FIRE CONTROL FUND                           31,490.50

 INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMUN         604.06

 ST GRANT-JUVENILE JUSTICE              1,732.09

 UTILITIES FUND                                     35,364.84

                                                  TOTAL $406,531.43

 MINUTES

Comm. Dean moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of June 16, 1998 and the special emergency meeting of June 24, 1998. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS

Ms. Heather Alexander, Board Secretary said the Public Works Agreement with Lancaster Prison needed to be renewed. Ms. Alexander said the terms and conditions have remained the same as last year. Comm. Dean moved to approve the agreement. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 GRANTS

Ms. Heather Alexander, Board Secretary said the Juvenile Justice grant needed to be adjusted by an additional $277.00 for funds received from the sale of children’s license plates. Ms. Alexander said the funds are used for funding 4-H activities. Comm. Davis moved to approve the increase with the understanding this is not an adjustment from the General Fund. Comm. Lindsey seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 PLANNING COMMISSION

Ms. Heather Alexander said the four (4) year terms held by Mr. Eugene Pollock and Mr. Duncan McCallum on the Planning Commission are expiring. Comm. Davis moved to reappoint Mr. Pollock and Mr. McCallum to the Planning Commission. Comm. Dean seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY LICENSING BOARD

Comm. Dean moved to reappoint Mr. Steve Kennedy to the Construction Industry Licensing Board. Comm. Lindsey seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

Comm. Davis moved to reappoint Mr. Hank Radacky to the Construction Industry Licensing Board. Comm. Dean seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 HEALTH

Ms. Heather Alexander said the position held by Mr. Frank McKoy on the Meridian Health Care Board was expiring and reappointment was recommended. Comm. Dean moved to reappoint Mr. Frank McKoy to the Meridian Health Care Board. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

AGENCIES

Ms. Alexander said a recommendation had been received from Withlacoochee Planning Council to appoint Mr. Michael Baker as representative for health care administration with Ms. Michelle Huber as alternate. Comm. Dean moved to approve the appointments. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

Ms. Alexander said the Withlacoochee Planning Council recommended reappointing Ms. Marie Miller and Ms. Belinda McDaniel as representatives on the Community Action Agency. Comm. Dean moved to approve the appointments as recommended. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

ROAD & BRIDGE DEPARTMENT

Mr. Skip Hammell said an application has been received from the Town of Inglis for ISTEA funds for a bike path. Mr. Hammell said even though the ISTEA funds are presently committed to the Nature Coast Greenways Trailway, the Road Department is accepting applications to be placed on a waiting list. Comm. Yearty moved to approve the application pending availability of ISTEA funds. Comm. Lindsey seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 ROAD MAINTENANCE

Mr. Skip Hammell made a recommendation to repair the following on a one (1) time basis:

N. E. 51st Lane in Sunny Highlands, 50' right-of-way, dedicated to the public, 10 loads of rock.

Comm. Dean moved to approve the request for maintenance on a one (1) time basis. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 MOSQUITO CONTROL

Mr. Wayne Hardee said the detailed work plan budget has been prepared and approval is required to submit to the state. Mr. Hardee said the budget has not changed from last year. Comm. Yearty moved to approve the submission of the detail work plan budget prepared by Mosquito Control to the state. Comm. Dean seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 LANDFILLS

Mr. Wayne Hardee said Mr. Danny Stevens with the City of Williston has requested an agreement for acceptance of sludge. Mr. Hardee said the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has requested an agreement in writing. Mr. Hardee added that Mr. Lee Mills, County Engineer wants to include testing requirements. Comm. Davis moved to authorize Mr. Hardee, Mr. Greg Beauchamp, and Mr. Lee Mills to proceed with a sludge agreement with the City of Williston. Comm. Dean seconded and said the acceptance of leachate water must meet certain guideline perimeters to meet requirements set by DEP and the MOTION CARRIED.

 EQUIPMENT

Mr. Wayne Hardee asked for permission to purchase a four wheel drive skidster loader with Recycling Education Grant funds. Comm. Dean said he recommended approval of the purchase with the grant funds while the funds are available and retain the old equipment. Comm. Dean moved to authorize the invitation to bid for the four wheel drive skidster loader. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED. Comm. Dean moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the invitation to bid. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

Mr. Hardee asked for authorization to bid for a one (1) ton recycling truck to be purchased with available grant money. Comm. Dean moved to allow an invitation to bid be issued. Comm. Yearty recommended making the purchase through the state bidding process to obtain the state purchase price. Comm. Yearty said the truck may be received sooner using the state purchase plan. Comm. Dean withdrew his original motion and moved to authorize purchase through the state bidding process for a recycling truck. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 ROADS, COUNTY

Comm. Yearty moved to pave the additional 3900 feet of the County Line Road to SR 121. Comm. Davis seconded. Comm. Yearty said this will alleviate traffic problems on this road and the MOTION CARRIED.

Comm. Yearty said the resurfacing and widening of the Rocky Hammock Road was approved at a previous meeting and he was recommending allowing the resurfacing of the road without widening. Comm. Yearty moved to place the Rocky Hammock Road on the paving list schedule. Comm. Dean seconded. Comm. Lindsey said he had no objection if no state laws were violated by resurfacing and not widening the road. Mr. Douglas McKoy said there are parameters set for the amount of paving the county may do in the course of year without bidding out the paving projects and recommended obtaining a legal opinion from Mr. Greg Beauchamp, County Attorney and the MOTION CARRIED.

Mr. Beauchamp said state statute indicates road construction, reconstruction, resurfacing can not exceed five (5) percent of 80 percent of the gas tax or $250,000.00 whichever is greater. Mr. Beauchamp said the total expenditures to date need to be determined and paving jobs prioritized for being bid out or postponed to next year.

 SHERIFF

Mr. Bobby McCallum made a request to transfer $40,000.00 from reserve to the General Operation Account of the Sheriff’s Office. Mr. McCallum said the $40,000.00 was approved in the continency budget. Comm. Yearty moved to authorize the transfer of funds. Comm. Lindsey seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 SALARY AND WAGES

Mr. Billy Cobb said a recommendation from Mr. Albert Fuller to promote Ms. Nikki Ladd to Administrative Assistant I with a salary of $7.36 per hour effective July 6, 1998. Comm. Dean moved to approve the change in status and salary for Ms. Nikki Ladd. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

Mr. Billy Cobb said a recommendation has been made to transfer Mr. Roberto Febles from the Road Department to the Construction Department with no change in salary. Mr. Cobb said this would create a new position in the Construction Department. Comm. Yearty moved to approve the transfer of Mr. Roberto Febles to the Construction Department. Comm. Davis seconded. Comm. Foley said if this is a newly created position it should be posted for any qualified applicants to apply. Comm. Yearty moved to create a new position in the Construction Department and to post the new position. Comm. Dean seconded. Comm. Davis said the new position will be for an electrician within the Construction Department and the MOTION CARRIED.

UNION

Mr. Cobb said the initial union negotiations are scheduled for July 29, 1998 and will be attended by Mr. Greg Beauchamp and himself to receive the initial requests from the union representatives. Mr. Beauchamp said the full committee will meet after the initial meeting. Mr. Cobb said any recommendations for the negotiations should be provided promptly since the union contract expires September 30, 1998.

 ORDINANCE

Mrs. Renata Cannon asked for a copy of the recommended Enforcement Policy for the Junk and Debris Ordinance. Mrs. Cannon asked if the policy would be a part of the ordinance and Mr. Beauchamp said this was a policy which would act with the ordinance if it was adopted. Comm. Yearty moved to adopt the recommended Enforcement Policy for the Junk and Debris Ordinance. Comm. Lindsey seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 COUNTY EMPLOYEES

Mr. Greg Beauchamp said interviews had been held for the position to assist the Assistant Administrative Assistant and Code Enforcement. Mr. Beauchamp said all of the applicants were well qualified and the committee reached an unanimous decision to recommend Mr. Fred Moody for the position based on his knowledge of the county and his experience working with the Tax Collector. Comm. Yearty moved to accept the committee recommendation and hire Mr. Fred Moody for the position. Comm. Lindsey seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 FIRE DISTRICTS

Mr. Greg Beauchamp said the community of Rosewood has made inquiries in obtaining a tanker for fire fighting. Mr. Beauchamp said he recommended Mr. Bill Beddow schedule a meeting with the citizens to discuss options in obtaining a tanker for the community.

Comm. Lindsey said he wanted to commend the Gulf Hammock Volunteer Fire Department and the other volunteer fire departments for the hours of service they have contributed fire fighting during this recent severe drought. Comm. Foley asked Mr. Billy Cobb to draft an individual Letter of Appreciation to each Volunteer Fire Department.

Comm. Yearty said Tuckaho/Peaceful Acres Community has created a new volunteer Fire Department with the assistance of the Town of Inglis. Comm. Yearty said the Town of Inglis have agreed to reduce their allocation of funds from the county to assist in starting the fire department and have asked for the county to contribute $6,000.00 to the Tuckaho/Peaceful Acres Volunteer Fire Department. Comm. Yearty moved to contribute the $6,000.00 to the volunteer fire department after an interlocal agreement is secured. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

Comm. Yearty requested Mr. Billy Cobb, Mr. Bill Beddow, Mr. Douglas McKoy and Mr. Greg Beauchamp to establish a policy on how funds distributed to the volunteer fire departments may be utilized. Comm. Yearty said the Otter Creek Fire Department use of funds needed to be reviewed and instructions on how the funds may be used.

 PLANNING COMMISSION

Comm. Yearty said Mr. Richard Lynch had tendered his resignation from the Planning Commission due to health reasons. Comm. Yearty moved to accept the resignation and appoint Mr. Tommy Thompson of Inglis to complete Mr. Lynch’s unexpired term. Comm. Dean seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

Comm. Yearty asked for a resolution for Mr. Richard Lynch recognizing the many years of service he has given on the Planning Commission and to Levy County.

 AGENCIES

Comm. Dean said the Withlacoochee Regional Planning Council has requested and agreement endorsing the Overall Economic Development Plan (EDP) and participation in the EDA program as an Economic Redevelopment Area. Comm. Dean moved to authorize the chairman to sign the prepared agreement. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 ZONING

Mr. Rob Corbitt presented the following petitions for consideration:

Petition No. CZ-00439 Walter Baynard and Company petitioning the Board for a Change of Zoning from Rural Residential "RR" to C-3 to allow a wholesale distribution business, on a parcel of land located in Eleston’s Addition to Williston, Block E, Lots 22, 23, 24, 25 and the S ½ of Lot 21, in Section 6, Township 13S, Range 19E, in Levy County. Said parcel contain .63 acres more or less. The Planning Commission recommends approval.

Chairman Foley inquired if there was opposition to the petition and no was presented. Comm. Davis moved to approve the request for a change in zoning. Comm. Dean seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

Petition No. VA-00371 Angela "Bunny" Geiger, petitioning the Board for a hardship Variance to allow a second dwelling in order to care for her sister (Judy Walden), on a parcel of land located in the SW 1/4 of the SE 1/4 of Section 2 Township 11S, Range 14E, in Levy County. Said parcel contains 5 acres more or less and is located within an Agriculture/Rural Residential "A/RR" zone.

Comm. Yearty moved to approve the request for a hardship variance. Comm. Lindsey seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE MEETING ADJOURNED.

Don Foley, Board Chairman

ATTEST:

Douglas M. McKoy, Clerk of Court