REGULAR MEETING

LEVY COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

January 19, 19 99

 The Regular Meeting of the Board of Levy County Commissioners was held on January 19, 1999 at 9:00 a.m. in the Levy County Board of County Commissioners’ meeting room, with the following Commissioners present:

Chairman Frank Davis

Vice Chairman Wilbur Dean

Comm. Don Foley

Comm. Sammy Yearty

Comm. Lilly Rooks

 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. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 FUND                                                                    AMOUNT
 CHECK NUMBERS: 17438- 17607(VOID 17438 )

 GENERAL FUND                                              $286,219.14

 ROAD & BRIDGE FUND                                  42,187.21

 LOCAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE                   11,250.00

 PERMANENT MOSQUITO CONTROL           16,486.00

 FINE & FORFEITURE FUND                           57,632.80

 E911 COMMUNICATIONS                              56,184.91

 LANDFILL & RECYCLING                                  7,628.57

 LAW ENFORCEMENT TRUST FUND           28,700.44

 COURT FACILITIES FUND                                   895.67

 FLORIDA POWER GRANT FUND                       992.90

 EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE               18,477.30

 SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION                               1,630.22

 LOCAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE TR                             55.17

 FIRE CONTROL FUND                                          521.89

 INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMUN                1,269.30

 ADD REV BOND DEBT SERVICE                   1,432.25

 UTILITIES FUND                                                  1,775.68

 MSTU - HEATHERWOOD                                  1,168.53

                                                            TOTAL $534,507.98

 MINUTES

Comm. Foley moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of January 5, 1999. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 ROAD & BRIDGE DEPARTMENT

Mrs. Lynn LeGrand requested NE 138th Lane located off of LCR 337 to be placed on the paving list. Mrs. LeGrand said there was excessive dust from the traffic on the road. Mrs. LeGrand said she contacted the Road Department and a traffic count indicates 274 cars per day travel the road. Comm. Dean said there are now 27 homes located on the road. Comm. Dean moved to place NE 138th Lane from CR 337 on the paving list for one (1) mile to the Alachua County line. Comm. Rooks seconded. Comm. Dean said he would request Mr. Skip Hammell to arrange an appointment with Alachua County to determine if they will pave the portion of the roadway located in their county and the MOTION CARRIED. Mr. Hammell said the current paving schedule would not allow work to begin this year on the road.

Mr. George Peterson said the road sign located at NE 70th Terrace is missing. Chairman Davis requested Mr. Justin Watson to replace the sign.

 AGENCIES

Mr. Walt McJordan representing the Levy County Development Authority recommended the appointment of Mrs. Carol McQueen to replace the vacancy created by the resignation of Mr Hugh Alexander. Comm. Dean moved to appoint Mrs. Carol McQueen to the Levy County Development Authority board. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

Mr. McJordan said the Development Authority has made a selection for an Executive Director to replace the interim director Mrs. Carol McQueen. Mr. McJordan said Mr. Lannie Cardona is highly qualified and the Development Authority is confident in his ability to work with the county. Chairman Davis welcomed Mr. Cardona as Executive Director of the Levy County Development Authority. Comm. Yearty said he would like to have it clarified as to what benefits were being provided. Mr. Cardona said his agreement upon hiring was for FICA and Medicare being deducted as the only benefits from his salary.

 BIDS

Mr. Tom Crittenden said he was concerned about the expenditures by the county for products used by the Road Department. Mr. Crittenden said as owner of NAPA Auto Parts store located within Levy County and in Bronson was concerned when out of county vendors were being used and charging more for a product that was available locally and was considered an in-stock item. Mr. Crittenden said he had invoices randomly pulled from August 17, 1998 to December, 1998 and found a number of instances where items were purchased at a higher price from a vendor when the items were available locally at a lower cost. Comm. Rooks said she was contacted by Mr. Crittenden and made several telephone calls and was quoted a lower price than was paid by the county for the item. Comm. Foley said it would be unfair to alter the bid process since the bids have been awarded. Chairman Davis appointed Comm. Foley, Mr .Kelly Jerrels, Mr. Skip Hammell, Mr. Billy Cobb, Mr. Freddy Moody and Mr. Sammy Pruitt to investigate the amounts being charged by the vendor and determine if further action is necessary.

 SHIP

Mrs. Carol McQueen presented the following application for a Deferred Payment Loan Agreement:

Jason M. Hughes, 911 SR 121 South, Williston, Lot 26 Williston Highland Golf and Country Club for $11,250.00.

Comm. Foley moved to approve the Deferred Payment Loan Agreement. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 GRANTS

Mrs. McQueen said Mills Engineering will transmit the surveying work to Mittauer & Associates, Inc., the engineers hired for the paving projects funded by the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and begin advertising for bids during May, 1999. Mrs. McQueen said obtaining right of way easements has caused some delay.

 CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS

Mrs. Jacqueline Martin, Board Secretary said the interlocal agreements providing for Ambulance, Emergency Medical Services and the Landfill non ad valorem assessments need to be approved for renewal the 1998 to 1999 fiscal year. Mrs. Martin said Chiefland, Otter Creek, Yankeetown, Williston, Bronson, Fanning Springs, and Inglis have returned the signed agreement. Mrs. Martin said the City of Cedar Key has not yet returned their signed agreement. Comm. Dean moved to approve the interlocal agreements and to authorize the Chairman to sign the agreements including the City of Cedar Key upon receipt providing there are no changes to the agreement. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 TAX COLLECTOR

Mr. Billy Cobb submitted following Certificates of Correction of Non Ad Valorem Assessment Roll for consideration by the Board:

William A. Arrington, 15550 NW 40th Avenue, Trenton, change from 3 units to 1 unit. There were previously two (2) units on the property, one (1) unit was removed and by error the number of units was increated to three (3) instead of being reduced t o one (1).

Comm. Dean moved to approve the Certificate of Correction of Non Ad Valorem Assessment. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

Theresa M. And Carlo J. Appugliese, 15250 SE 60th Street, Morriston, has enclosed garage/workshop/storage building adjacent to home. Inspection reveals the building is not attached to the home and is not a residence.

Comm. Dean moved to approve the Certificate of Correction of Non Ad Valorem Assessment. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 ROAD AND BRIDGE DEPARTMENT

Mr. Skip Hammell said the Town of Otter Creek has requested a reduction in the posted speed limit on South Otter Creek Avenue and 3rd Street from South Otter Creek Avenue to Commissary Road from 25MPH to 15MPH. Comm. Yearty said he was concerned about speeds being established too slow in areas of the county. Comm Rooks said the city council had approved the request to reduce the speed limit within their town boundaries unanimously. Comm. Rooks moved to approve the request for a reduction of the speed limit as described in Otter Creek. Comm. Dean seconded. Comm. Yearty voted no and the MOTION CARRIED.

 CONTRACT AND AGREEMENTS/ROAD DEPARTMENT

Mr. Hammell presented a fill dirt agreement between the county and Mr. Benny Jerrels to consider renewal for an additional three (3) years. Mr. Hammell said there have been no changes to the agreement except for the renewal date. Comm. Foley moved to approve the agreement and authorize the Chairman to sign the contract. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 ROAD MAINTENANCE

Mr. Hammell said the following request has been made for inclusion into the road maintenance system:

Remainder of NW 156th Street in Oak Knoll Estates, 940' long, 50' dedicated right of way.

Comm. Foley moved to accept into the maintenance system. Comm. Dean seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

Mr. Hammell said the following requests had been made for maintenance on a one (1) time basis:

NE 150th Avenue, in Williston Highlands Golf and Country Club Estates, 1.28 miles long, dedicated right of way.

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

NE 155th Court in Williston Highlands Golf & Country Club, five (5) loads of rock, 50' right of way.

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

 ROAD AND BRIDGE DEPARTMENT/EQUIPMENT

Mr. Kelly Jerrels requested approval to purchase the following equipment from the State Contract discount:

21' Machete boom, 5' Timber Cat, TS100, 2WD, creeper and ROPS for $47,563.88

Side mounting mower mounted to 6610 Ford Tractor for $10,703.97

Mr. Jerrels said this equipment has been needed and will improve the safety conditions for the employees and passing traffic when mowing jobs are being done. Comm. Dean moved to approve the purchase request through the State Contract bid process. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 PLANNING, COUNTY

Ms. Krista Kelly said the Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR) will be proceeding to public hearing before the Planning Commission on February 1, 1999. Ms. Kelly said the Planning Commission met with the municipalities and overall there were no major objections presented. Ms. Kelly said the City of Chiefland and the City of Fanning Springs have concerns on the corridor on US Highway 19 and she has recommended this be addressed at a later amendment period.

 COMPUTER

Sheriff Glass said the contract for the computer software has been received from USA Software and reviewed by Mr. Greg Beauchamp, County Attorney. Sheriff Glass said a verbal agreement has been made for payment to be made at the completion of installation instead of half the payment at the beginning of installation. Sheriff Glass said the estimated installation cost will be $108,000.00 and Florida Power Corporation has agreed to provide a grant of $70,000.00 to offset the costs. Sheriff Glass said this will leave a balance of $38,000.00 but is requesting consideration to be made for approximately 10% of cost over rides. Sheriff Glass said he would be able to provide for the 10% contingency from his budget. Comm. Yearty moved to approve the contract with USA Systems Software and the expenditure of $70,000.00 of grant funds from Florida Power Corporation with the difference of $38,000.00 from the county and an approval of a 10% contingency cost if needed. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SERVICES

Mrs. Jacqueline Martin, Board Secretary presented the 1999 State and Local Assistance Agreement for consideration. Mrs. Martin said the funding allocation from the Department of Community Affairs will be $24,834.00 and is the same agreement which has been used for the past several years. Comm. Foley moved to approve the agreement and authorize the Chairman to sign the agreement. Comm. Dean seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 MUNICIPALITIES/ROAD MAINTENANCE

Chairman Davis said the City of Williston has requested the resurfacing and expansion of CR 502 connecting the airport property to SR 121 to accommodate a boat manufacturing company relocating to the industrial park and two (2) accessory businesses with plans to locate within the industrial park. Comm. Dean moved to approve the widening and resurfacing of LCR 502 as requested by the City of Williston. Comm. Yearty seconded. Comm. Foley said he would recommend referral to the Levy County Development Authority to investigate any grant funding which may be available to offset the cost of the project. Comm. Yearty withdrew his second. Comm. Dean restated his motion by moving to widen and resurface LCR 502 and apply for any grant funding which may be available for the project. Comm. Yearty seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 ROADS, COUNTY

Chairman Davis said the City of Williston has proposed extending the city limits to include the northbound lane of and the easterly right of way of US41/SR45. Sheriff Glass said he would recommend approving the request to eliminate present jurisdictional problems with the City Police Department and the Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Glass said public safety is at risk with the current division and allowing the City of Williston to annex the northbound lane and the right of way would resolve the present problems for law enforcement. Comm. Yearty moved to approve the request by the City of Williston to annex the northbound lane and the easterly right of way of that section of US 41/SR 45 which runs approximately two (2) miles south of SR 121. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 COMMISSIONERS

Chairman Davis said he would be finalizing the appointments to the individual committees at the next regular meeting. Chairman Davis said he was recommending the appointment of Comm. Rooks and the reappointment of Comm. Dean to the Withlacoochee Regional Planning Board. Comm. Rooks and Comm. Dean said they would accept the appointments.

 COUNTY LAND

Mr. Greg Beauchamp, County Attorney said he has been notified by First Federal Savings & Loan Association was completing the title work for the property on US 27. Mr. Beauchamp said he was confirming the previous approval allowing the Chairman to sign the closing documents and the transfer of funds at the closing.

 ROAD CLOSING

Mr. Greg Beauchamp said a request for a road closing has been made by Mrs. Juanita Knauff for the following:

That certain cul-de-sac on Sikes Circle (NE 10th Circle), as shown on the Plat of Williston Highlands Golf and Country Club Estates, more particularly described as follows:

That certain portion of cul-de-sac lying Southeasterly of a line beginning at the NE corner of Lot 9, Block 141 and ending at the SW corner of Lot 12, Block 141 of the above said subdivision.

Comm. Yearty moved to adopt the resolution to hold a public hearing on February 16, 1999 at 10:30 a.m. for the proposed road closing. Comm. Dean seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 LIBRARY

Comm. Yearty said he recommends the reestablishment of the Library board. Comm. Yearty said he was concerned about the level of service the county was receiving from the Marion-Levy Public Library System. Comm. Yearty moved to reestablish a library board consisting of five (5) members from each district in the county. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES

Comm. Yearty said he was recommending obtaining a permit from the health department to drill a non-potable water well for the Ambulance Station in Cedar Key. Comm. Yearty said it was ready for operation except for the water connection. Mr. Billy Cobb said he would proceed with obtaining a permit to drill the well.

 MUNICIPALITIES/ROADS, COUNTY

Comm. Yearty said the City of Inglis is requesting a reduction of the speed limit to 45MPH on LCR 40 from the city limit to the South Levy Recreation Park. Comm. Yearty moved to approve the request for the reduction of the speed limit. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 COMMISSIONERS

Comm. Rooks presented a concept for consideration to assist in transportation for the medically disadvantaged. Comm. Rooks said she has prepared a Statement of Need and a Mission Statement and is recommending requesting $65,000.00 in funding from the State Legislature to initiate the program if approved. Comm. Rooks said the funding would provide a coordinator to schedule transportation with a volunteer and a medically needy individual and would allow for approximately 730 trips with volunteers who would be reimbursed mileage at $.29 per mile and $10.00 per trip. Comm. Foley said the Disadvantage Transportation Board provides transportation for the medically handicapped. Comm. Rooks said this proposal would be for individual transportation. Comm. Yearty moved to submit the proposal to the legislature for consideration. Comm. Dean seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 ROADS, COUNTY

Comm. Yearty said a request has been made to allow a irrigation pipe be placed under CR320. Comm. Yearty said the request was for a cut to be made in the road to allow the pipe to be buried and then the road patched. Comm. Foley said to jack and bore the road to lay the pipe without cutting would be an extremely expensive process. Comm. Yearty moved to allow the cut and patch for the irrigation pipe on the condition the entire costs are assumed by the petitioner and all future requests of this type be considered on an individual basis. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED. Mr. Kelly Jerrels is to prepare and estimate from the road department and specifications for where the cut should be made.

 CLERK OF COURT/TO BOARD

Mr. Douglas McKoy said Chief Justice Cates has requested to be placed on the agenda for February 16, 1999. Mr. McKoy said he would be presenting a workshop on Article V and the funding needs presently necessary to meet the constitutional revision.

THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE MEETING ADJOURNED.

 Frank Davis, Board Chairman

ATTEST:

Douglas M. McKoy, Clerk of Court