REGULAR MEETING
LEVY COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
February 2, 19 99
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Levy County Commissioners was held on February 2, 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
County Administrator - 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. Rooks moved to approve the following expenditures presented for payment. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
FUND AMOUNT
CHECK NUMBERS: 17608-17802 (VOIDS 17608;17619)
GENERAL FUND $763,240.88
ROAD & BRIDGE FUND 128,742.43
FINE & FORFEITURE FUND 28,782.96
LANDFILL & RECYCLING 18,080.84
FLORIDA POWER GRANT FUND 343.59
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE 58,535.72
INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMUN 3,000.00
UTILITIES FUND 560.26
SHIP 9,500.00
TOTAL $1,010,786.68
MINUTES
Comm. Foley moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of January 19, 1999. Comm. Dean seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
AGENCIES
Comm. Yearty asked Mr. Lannie Cardona, Executive Director of the Levy County Development Authority to investigate any grants or funding sources available to offset the expense of widening and resurfacing of LCR 502 from SR 121 to the Industrial Park located at Williston Airport.
TAX ROLL
Mr. Billy Cobb presented the following Certificates of Correction of Non Ad Valorem Assessment Roll for consideration:
Robert R. Rubin, 17131 NE 28th Street, Williston. Recommendation to change rate from one (1) unit to vacant land. The investigation revealed the mobile home is uninhabitable, roof and flooring removed, vacant in excess of two (2) years.
Comm. Yearty moved to approve the Certificate of Correction of Non Ad Valorem Assessment for Mr. Robert R. Rubin. Comm. Dean seconded with the understanding the deteriorating mobile home would be removed from the property and the MOTION CARRIED.
Leann Head, Otter Creek. Recommendation to change rate from one (1) unit to vacant land. The investigation revealed the only improvement is a septic tank on the property. There are no buildings on the property.
Comm. Dean moved to approve the Certificate of Correction of the Non Ad Valorem Assessment for Ms. Leann Head. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS
Ms. Heather Alexander, Board Secretary presented the signed agreements for fire protection received from Morriston/Montbrook Volunteer Fire Department, Rosewood Volunteer Fire Department, Gulf Hammock Volunteer Fire Department, Town of Otter Creek Volunteer Fire Department and City of Williston Volunteer Fire Department for consideration to approve for renewal. Ms. Alexander said the agreements did not contain any changes from the prior year’s contract. Comm. Dean moved to approve the agreements and authorize the Chairman to sign the agreements. Comm. Foley seconded. Mr. Douglas McKoy said the Clerk was covered for personal liability under the contract but recommended allowing the Finance Department handle the accounting of funds for the Volunteer Fire Departments. Mr. McKoy said the Finance Department currently is handling the payment of the bills for some of the Volunteer Fire Departments. Mr. McKoy said the departments which are not subject to annual audits need stricter safeguards to account for their expenditure of funds. Chairman Davis referred the issue to EMS Director, Mr. Bill Beddow to be reviewed with the Fire Advisory Board and the MOTION CARRIED.
PERMITS
Ms. Alexander said Ms. Margaret Knight has applied for a permit to hold the Withlacoochee Blue Grass Festival. Ms. Alexander said the fee would remain at $50.00. Comm. Yearty moved to approve the permit. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
COUNTY LAND
Comm. Yearty inquired about the progress of digging a well for the Cedar Key ambulance station. Mr. Billy Cobb said the permits for the well site are being applied for and the drilling should begin soon. Mr. Cobb said there had been some difficulty in locating a well driller causing a delay.
ROAD MAINTENANCE
Mr. Skip Hammell presented the following requests for road maintenance:
NE 120th Terrace located in Sunny Highlands, 0.70 mile long, with 16 houses and a 50' dedicated right of way. The request is to take into the maintenance system.
Comm. Dean moved to approve the request to accept NE 120th Terrace in to the road maintenance system. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
NW 130th Street located in Glenwood Estates, ½ a load of rock in a mud hole, with a dedicated right of way. The request is for maintenance on a one (1) time basis.
Comm. Rooks moved to approve maintenance on a one (1) time basis. Comm. Yearty seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
NE 153rd Avenue located in Spring Lake Estates, Unit 1, 0.26 mile long, with six (6) houses and a 50' dedicated right of way. The request is to take into the maintenance system.
Comm. Dean moved to approve the request to accept NE 153rd Avenue in to the road maintenance system. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
NE 112th Terrace located in University Estates from C-335 to NE 76th Street, ½ mile long with a dedicated right of way. The request is for maintenance on a one (1) time basis.
Comm. Dean moved to approve the request for maintenance on a one (1) time basis. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
PLANNING, COUNTY
Ms. Krista Kelly said the Planning Commission has recommended the transmittal of the Evaluation and Amendment Report (EAR). Ms. Kelly said a public workshop should be scheduled for review of the EAR report by the Commissioners. Chairman Davis scheduled the public workshop for Tuesday, February 23, 1999.
SALARIES AND WAGES
Comm. Dean presented the following recommendations for increase in wages:
Paul Clapp, part-time at the Landfill for a 4% increase.
Comm. Dean moved to approve the wage increase of 4%. Comm. Foley seconded. Mr. Douglas McKoy said it was the Finance Department understanding that the Board had taken previous action denying part-time employees a 4% increase and that it might be necessary to rescind the previous action to allow this increase. Comm. Dean withdrew his motion to allow a review of the policy previously approved by the Commission.
Madge Jordan, Administrative Asst.. I, currently earning $9.0105 per hour, recommending an increase to $9.5105 per hour.
Comm. Dean moved to approve the recommendation for an increase in salary. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
Sharon Dean, classified as Housekeeper I, current wage is $6.0461 per hour, recommending an increase to $6.5461 per hour.
Comm. Dean moved to approve the recommendation for increase in salary. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
Royala Coleman, Administrative Asst.. I, currently earning $8.2300 per hour, recommendation to increase to $8.73 per hour.
Comm. Dean moved to approve the recommendation for increase in salary. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
Brenda Jerrels, Housekeeper I, currently earning $6.0071 per hour, recommendation to increase to $6.5071 per hour.
Comm. Dean moved to approve the recommendation for increase in salary. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
Nellie Godkin, Housekeeper I, currently earning $6.0461 per hour, recommendation to increase to $6.5461 per hour.
Comm. Dean moved to approve the recommendation for increase in salary. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
Joe Lalonde, Maintenance Worker II, currently earning $7.7296 per hour, recommendation to increase to $8.2296 per hour.
Comm. Dean moved to approve the recommendation for increase in salary. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
Hazie Cannon, Maintenance Worker II Water, currently earning $8.9577 per hour, recommendation to increase to $9.4577 per hour.
Comm. Dean moved to approve the recommendation for increase in salary. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
Jeannie Gilbert, Administrative Asst.. II, currently earning $8.3364 per hour, recommendation to increase to $9.0729 per hour.
Comm. Dean moved to approve the recommendation for increase in salary. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
LIBRARY
Comm. Foley moved to appoint Ms. Marlea Merriman to the Library Board. Comm. Dean seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
GRANTS
Mr. William J. Lindberg presented the grant agreement for the Florida Artificial Fishing Reef Program. Mr. Lindberg said the grant agreement is with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Levy County allowing the University of Florida to monitor the Suwannee Regional Reef System on behalf of the county. Comm. Yearty moved to approve the grant agreement. Comm. Rooks seconded. Mr. Greg Beauchamp said the subcontract agreement needed to be prepared by the University of Florida and forwarded to his office to present for action by the Board and the MOTION CARRIED.
ZONING
Mr. Rob Corbitt presented the following petition for consideration:
Petition No. VA-00378 - Mr. Frances Akins representing Roselle A. Bublitz (mother) for a Hardship Variance to allow a second dwelling in order for her to care for her daughter (Harriet O. Read), on a parcel of land located in the W ½ of the NW 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of the NW 1/4 of Section 32, Township 10S, Range 15E, in Levy County. Said parcel contains 5 acres more or less and is located within an Agriculture/Rural Residential "A/RR" zone.
Mr. Corbitt said a letter of support had been received from Lester and Alice Jones who live south of the property. Mr. Corbitt said there had not been any opposition received to the petition for the hardship variance. Comm. Foley moved to approve the hardship variance. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
SALARY AND WAGES
Comm. Dean moved to approve an increase in salary for Mr. Paul Clapp from $7.50 per hour to $7.81 per hour. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
Comm. Dean said he was withdrawing his motion to approve an increase in pay for Sharon Dean. Comm. Dean said he was filing a Conflict of Interest since he is related to Mrs. Dean. Comm. Foley moved to increase Sharon Dean, Housekeeper I from her current salary of $6.0461 per hour to $6.5461. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
COUNTY LAND
Mr. Greg Beauchamp said a survey is being done by First Federal of Lakeland and the closing on the First Federal building located in Bronson could be completed upon receipt of the survey.
COMMUNICATIONS
Mr. Bill Beddow said the new communications system has not yet been installed in Yankeetown. Mr. Beddow said new updates are needed in Chiefland for the paging system and until those problems are resolved installation will be delayed in Yankeetown.
LIBRARY
Comm. Dean moved to appoint Ms. Norrine Andrews to the Library Board. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
COUNTY EMPLOYEES
Comm. Dean moved to change the title classification for Mr. Billy Cobb, from Administrative Assistant to County Administrator. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
SHIP
Mrs. Carol McQueen presented the following Deferred Payment Loan Agreement for consideration:
Tracey L. Elliott and Michael R. Elliott in the amount of $9,500.00 for the purchase of a new home located at Lot 7, Block 1 of Levy Ranchettes.
Comm. Yearty moved to approve the Deferred Payment Loan Agreement. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
MISCELLANEOUS
Mr. Barney Cannon recommended scheduling Zoning issues on the agenda at 9:00 AM to prevent long recesses. Comm. Yearty said with an open agenda policy it was difficult to shorten the length of the meeting. There was no action taken to change the current agenda policy.
COMMISSIONERS
Chairman Davis presented the Committees for 1999 as part of the record. Chairman Davis said Mr. Fred Moody is to be a representative on all of the committees.
AGENCIES
Ms. Marion Mark of the Coordinated Transportation Service (CTS) said the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has a federally funded grant program available to fund a shuttle service for transportation of residents who may be participating in the WAGES program or attending school. Ms. Mark said the grant is to assist in creating a reliable shuttle service for areas which have a workforce traveling a distance in excess of 30 miles to the work place. Ms. Mark said the grant if approved would be applied for on behalf of the county by CTS and they would be the administering agency. Ms. Mark said matching funds would come from CTS through the fares charged for the use of the shuttle service and CTS would not ask for a contribution from the county. Ms. Mark said the process would be the same as the Transportation for the Disadvantage (TD) where the rider would be charged a nominal fare and the balance of the fare would be billed to the applicable program. Ms. Mark said the shuttle service would be in a limited area with limited stops but would allow reasonable, repetitive transportation for citizens. Chairman Davis said it was the consensus of the Board to delay any action on the grant application until a review of the contract has been made by the county attorney and the determination of the extent of the liability to be assumed by the county if the program is instituted.
TAX CERTIFICATES
Mr. Greg Beauchamp read a letter from Deputy Clerk Patty Galyean naming additional parcels from the Tax Deed Sale of January 11, 1999 to be included on the "List of Lands Available for Taxes.
THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE MEETING ADJOURNED.
Frank Davis, Board Chairman
ATTEST:
Douglas M. McKoy, Clerk of Court