REGULAR MEETING

LEVY COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

June 22, 19 99

 The Regular Meeting of the Board of Levy County Commissioners was held on June 22, 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 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: 19891-20120 (VOIDS 19891; 20109 )

 GENERAL FUND                                       $695,906.52

 ROAD & BRIDGE FUND                          171,010.93

 LOCAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE             13,435.00

 MEDIATION FUND                                           200.00

 FINE & FORFEITURE FUND                     44,927.39

 E911 COMMUNICATIONS                                61.66

 LANDFILL & RECYCLING                         16,415.05

 LAW ENFORCEMENT TRUST FUND           176.83

 FLORIDA POWER GRANT FUND                 992.27

 EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE         11,494.73

 SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION                        2,844.23

 FIRE CONTROL FUND                              15,838.50

 CDBG GRANT FUND                                 12,100.00

 INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMUN                39.64

 ST GRANT - JUVENILE JUSTICE               1,051.52

 UTILITIES FUND                                               999.86

 MSTU-RAINBOW LAKES ESTATES       74,323.60

                                                   TOTAL $1,061,817.73

 MINUTES

Comm. Dean moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of June 8, 1999. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 LIBRARY

Mr. Ted Wilkins said inefficiencies were found in the operations of the local libraries by the Marion-Levy Public Library System. Mr. Wilkins said two (2) basic inefficiencies are ineffective long distance management and top heavy management. Mr. Wilkins said the local library board recommends severing the relationship with Marion County and have an independent library system using available state funds.

Mrs. Toni Collins explained the current revenue estimated for 1998-1999 is $173,480.00 and projected revenue for 1999-2000 is $230,500.00. Mrs. Collins said a review of expenditures for Levy County by the Marion-Levy Public Library System the estimated current expenditures are $122,660.00 and the estimated expenditures for 1999-2000 is $176,500.00. Mrs. Collins said by applying for available funds to institute a local library system and funds currently allocated would firmly establish a library system with increased availability of services.

Mrs. Julie Sieg, Director of the Marion Levy Library System said she had to agree with the recommendations of the local library board.

Comm. Yearty moved to begin negotiations to dissolve the contract with Marion Levy Public Library System effective October 1, 1999. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

Comm. Davis appointed Comm. Yearty to be the liaison in the negotiations. Comm. Yearty moved to appoint Mr. Ted Wilkins as representative on the Marion Levy Public Library System through September 30, 1999. Comm. Dean seconded and the MOTION CARRIED. Comm. Yearty said Ms. Mary McDaniels was to be thanked for the number of years of service she has served on the library board .

 AGENCIES

Mrs. Linda Sloan, Executive Director of the Withlacoochee Regional Planning Council said the budget review process was beginning and it is necessary for approval of the $.40 cent per capita dues rate at the same rate as the last fiscal year. Mrs. Sloan said new programs have been added this year to benefit the four (4) county membership. Comm. Dean moved to approve the $.40 cent per capita contribution. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

Mrs. Ruth Jansen of the Citrus Levy Marion Workforce Development Board said the job training office would be vacating their space in the court house by August 1, 1999. Mrs. Jansen said she appreciated the support provided in making their services accessible to the residents. Mrs. Jansen said effective July 1, 1999 the program will be known as the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and have expanded partnerships and co-located services with other agencies. Mrs. Jansen said the office will be relocated at the Hill Top Alternative School.

 ORDINANCES

Chairman Davis called the public hearing to order at 10:15 a.m. for the lineal heir subdivision ordinance.

Mr. Greg Beauchamp read the ordinance into the record for the Ordinance providing for amendment to Chapter 71; Subdivision Regulations of Levy County Land Development Regulations to allow homestead density exception for lineal heir subdivisions; providing for parcel size and zones; providing for prohibited areas, eligibility, platting and recording; providing for limitations; and providing for an effective date.

Comm. Yearty said he was concerned about egress and ingress requiring a 60' public right of way constructed to county standards through private property. Ms. Krista Kelly said it requires a durable surface and will not be allowed in Type II subdivisions or private easements until the roads meet county standards.

Comm. Dean moved to adopt the lineal heir subdivision ordinance. Comm. Yearty seconded. Mr. Rob Corbitt said the objective was to make conforming parcels and to try to deter abuse of the ordinance by requiring the heir to obtain the initial building permits. Comm. Yearty said he did not want to see a public road created across a large parcel of private land and the MOTION CARRIED.

PROPERTY APPRAISER

Mr. Francis Akins, Property Appraiser said a review of House Bill (HB) 291 granting an additional homestead exemption for persons 65 and older with an annual income of less than $20,000 per household does not address the cost of administering the qualification process. Mr. Akins said presently the Office of the Property Appraiser does not have a system for collecting and verifying ages and incomes of possible eligible residents. Mrs. Renata Cannon said the legislative delegation should address this legislation that was passed but did not provide for implementation.

 STATE AGENCIES

Mr. Paul Smith, Project Manager for the proposed northern extension of Florida’s Turnpike proposal spoke concerning the original proposal to have the extension transverse Goethe State Forest and to connect with US 19 at Lebanon Station. Mr. Lawrence said various state agencies objected to the impact on the Goethe State Forest and the southern alignment located approximately one mile south of the state forest was proposed as an alternative connection to US 19. Mr. Lawrence said bonds have not been sold and the final plans should be prepared by the end of June. Mr. Lawrence said current projections are for 13,000 to 14,000 cars a day and the amount of the tariff is undetermined. Mr. Joel Glenn, District Environmental Management Engineer for the Department of Transportation, District II said US 19 has been a focus of long range planning to accommodate traffic flow from South Florida to Georgia.

Mr. Peter Lawrence, Project Engineer, said several courses of action are as follows:

 1) using US 19 with controlled or limited access;

 2) provide a new facility with controlled access to US 19, or

 3) construct a new facility adjacent to US 19.

 Mr. Lawrence said US 19 as it exists can handle the traffic diverted off I-75 from the turnpike and the Suncoast Parkway. Chairman Davis thanked the representatives from the Department of Transportation (DOT) for providing an update on the proposed changes affecting US 19.

 GRANTS

Ms. Carol McQueen said the engineer has requested approval to advertise for bids for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)road construction projects. Mrs. McQueen said the bid opening will be held on Thursday, July 29, 1999 at 9:00 a.m. before the appointed committee and will have the committee recommendation submitted at the regular meeting on August 3, 1999. Comm. Foley will chair the committee.

 ORDINANCE

Mr. Richard Hale said he has a mud bogging event scheduled for the July 4, 1999 weekend and does not see a reason for the emergency ordinance placing a moratorium on mud bogging events. Comm. Yearty said there was concern for the safety, health and welfare of attendees and surrounding residents at an event not properly organized. Comm. Davis advised Mr. Hale it would be necessary for him to contact the county administrator’s office and make appropriate arrangements to provide sufficient safeguards before the moratorium could be lifted.

 TAX COLLECTOR

Mr. Greg Beauchamp said Mr. Donald Richburg, Tax Collector has notified the Board of delinquent county tax certificates unredeemed as of June 9, 1999 from the 1996 tax year and were sold on May 29, 1997. Mr. Beauchamp said Mr. Richburg is requesting to know if Tax Deed Warning letters of impending Tax Deed Applications should be sent. Chairman Davis advised Mr. Beauchamp to notify Mr. Richburg to proceed with the Tax Deed Warning Letters.

 ROAD CLOSING

Mr. Beauchamp said a request has been submitted by Mr. and Mrs. Koehler for another hearing on the fifty (50') feet of road lying south of Lot 1 Block C previously denied. Mr. Beauchamp said he will prepare a resolution and present it at the next regular meeting.

CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS

Mr. Beauchamp said a proposed contract has been received from Dr. James Nicholas for a study and recommendation on impact fees. Mr. Beauchamp said the contract needs to be shown in phases with an understanding of the costs and he recommends requesting the changes from Dr. Nicholas. Chairman Davis directed Mr. Beauchamp to request the changes to the contract and then submit for board consideration.

Mr. Beauchamp said the agreements for Family Mediation Services have been reviewed and require approval. Comm. Dean moved to approve the Family Mediation Services contracts submitted. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

Mr. Beauchamp said approval is needed for five (5) attorneys who have applied for appointment as Special Public Defenders on conflict cases. Mr. Beauchamp said the appointments would be Jodi Cason, William Davis, Stanley H. Griffis, III, Kevin Jurecko and Lloyd L. Vipperman, Jr.. Comm. Rooks moved to approve the additional attorneys. Comm. Yearty seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 COUNTY EMPLOYEES

Mr. Beauchamp said a notice of complaint of discrimination of employment has been filed by an employee dismissed from Emergency Medical Services. Mr. Beauchamp said a mediation hearing is scheduled for July 7, 1999 in Tallahassee and he is requesting authorization to proceed with the mediation process. Comm. Dean moved to authorize the county attorney, Mr. Greg Beauchamp to proceed with the mediation process and to defend the complaint if mediation is not successful. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS

Mr. Billy Cobb said the addendum for extending the time period of the conceptual agreement for the purchase of Devil’s Hammock to January 27, 2000 has been received. Comm. Dean moved to approve the addendum for the time extension at the request of the state. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 SALARIES AND WAGES

Mr. Cobb presented the following requests for salary increases:

Grace Blake, Building & Zoning to $10.76 per hour.

Comm. Dean moved to approve the request for an increase in salary. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

Kimberly R. Durrance, Building & Zoning to $9.44 per hour.

Comm. Dean moved to approve the request for an increase in salary. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS

Mrs. Jacqueline Martin presented the amended agreements signed by South Levy Volunteer Fire Department, Fowlers Bluff Volunteer Fire Department, Gulf Hammock Volunteer Fire Department and Rural District #4 -Rosewood Volunteer Fire Department for approval. Comm. Rooks moved to approve the agreements. Comm. Dean seconded and the MOTION CARRIED. Mrs. Martin said the Morriston-Montbrook agreement has not yet been received.

Mrs. Martin presented the interlocal agreements for the solid waste management programs from the following municipalities for approval:

Town of Bronson, Town of Inglis, Town of Otter Creek, City of Williston, City of Fanning Springs, City of Chiefland, City of Cedar Key and Town of Yankeetown.

Comm. Dean moved to approve the agreements. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 LANDFILL

Mrs. Martin presented the following grant applications for approval:

Solid Waste Tire, Small County Solid Waste, Solid Waste Recycle Education Grant, Part 1 and Litter Control Intervention.

Comm. Dean moved to approve the grant applications. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 COUNTY EMPLOYEES

Mrs. Martin said the 1999 update to the equal employment plan is ready for approval. Comm. Rooks moved to authorize the approval of the 1999 update to the equal employment plant. Comm. Dean seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 ROAD MAINTENANCE

Mr. Skip Hammell presented the following for maintenance on a one (1) time basis:

NE 78th Lane from NE 102nd Court to NE 105th Avenue located in University Estates, 50' right of way with six (6) loads of rock.

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

 ROADS, COUNTY

Mr. Hammell said grant assistance is available through the Small County Roads Assistance Program which meet a criteria of being an evacuation routes, agriculture routes and several other conditions. Mr. Hammell said he recommended submitting CR347 north to CR330; CR326 to CR319 and CR337 which meet the specified criteria. Comm. Yearty moved to submit the recommended roads for Small County Roads Assistance Program. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS

Mr. Hammell presented the agreement with the Department of Corrections Lancaster Correctional Institute to supply inmate help for road department projects. Mr. Hammell said there was no change in the agreement from last year’s contract. Comm. Rooks moved to approve the agreement. Comm. Dean seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 RESOLUTIONS

Mr. Hammell presented a resolution to be submitted to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to fulfill the ISTEA Project for a sidewalk on SR24 commencing at CR337 north to CR32. Mr. Hammell said this ISTEA project was approved prior to the commitment of the funds to the greenway project. Comm. Dean moved to approve the resolution. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 VETERAN’S OFFICE

Mr. Leo Flynn said the veteran’s support group which organized the Veteran’s Memorial is preparing to disband and has offered to contribute the balance of their treasury $1,109 to assist purchasing a flag pole or used in conjunction with the memorial. Mr. Flynn said they are asking for a letter of intent before making the contribution. Mr. Flynn said a 50 foot flag pole that will withstand a constant 70 mile per hour wind and hold a 8' x 10' flag would cost $2,080.00 with $350.00 for shipping. Comm. Yearty moved to purchase the flag pole and apply the contribution from the veteran’s group to the purchase. Comm. Dean seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 LANDFILL

Comm. Dean said a problem has developed with out of county garbage being brought into the county by haulers. Comm. Dean moved to increase the fee to $60.00 a ton for out of county garbage and $45.00 a ton for in county garbage. Comm. Yearty seconded. Comm. Dean said random inspections are held for the Department of Environmental Regulation (DER) and the landfill employees will inspect for out of county garbage at the same time and the MOTION CARRIED.

 ROADS, COUNTY

Comm. Davis said Mr. Bob Spates has offered to pay $20,000.00 for paving a 1500' portion of county road NE 20th Avenue off of SR121. Comm. Davis said Mr. Justin Watson prepared a quote of $20,860.00 to pave that portion of the road. Comm. Yearty moved to approve the concept to pave that portion of NE 20th Avenue pending a contract being secured with Mr. Spates. Comm. Dean seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

Comm. Davis said he recommended placing 600 feet of NE 212th Terrace by New Hope Baptist Church on the paving list. Comm. Yearty moved to place NE 212th Terrace by New Hope Baptist Church on the priority paving list. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 MISCELLANEOUS

Comm. Davis said the Williston Youth & Athletic Association, a non profit organization has made a request for financial assistance. Comm. Davis said the Association was previously funded but has not requested assistance until when they lost their primary source of funding through their concession at Weeks’ Auction. Comm. Foley moved to authorize a contribution of $1,500.00 to the Williston Youth & Athletic Association. Comm. Dean seconded. Comm. Davis said they may make a request at budget time for a contribution on an annual basis the same as the other youth leagues and the MOTION CARRIED.

 COMMISSIONERS

Comm. Rooks commended Mr. Skip Hammell for his many years of service with the Road Department.

 ROAD AND BRIDGE DEPARTMENT

Mr. Skip Hammell said the school board has built an addition at the Cedar Key school and has driven stakes into the roadway damaging the pavement. Mr. Hammell said after a review of the site recommends a right angle turn be constructed in lieu of the curve. Comm. Rooks said she will speak with the school board and see what can be done to make the area safer for pedestrians and vehicles.

 APPOINTMENTS

Comm. Yearty moved to reappoint Mr. Bernard Campbell to the Board of Adjustment. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 BOAT RAMPS

Comm. Yearty said there is erosion at the boat ramp near the Wacassassa Marina. Comm. Yearty said he has contacted the Suwannee River Water Management and they have agreed to pay for the permitting and the engineering if the county will stabilize the bank with boulders. Comm. Yearty moved to send a letter of intent to the water management and to the county engineer, Lee Mills informing them the county will perform the labor if they will pay for the permitting and engineering. Comm. Rooks seconded. Comm. Dean said he would like to see if the boat ramp can be repaired at the same time and the MOTION CARRIED.

 PARKS AND RECREATION

Comm. Yearty said he has discussed the bicycle path in Inglis with the county engineer since the funding was vetoed by the governor. Comm. Yearty moved to authorize the county engineer to do a study on a sidewalk/bicycle path in Inglis. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 ROADS, COUNTY

Comm. Rooks asked Mr. Freddy Moody to investigate illegal dumping in the right of way of NW 142nd Street in Suwannee River Highlands.

THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE MEETING ADJOURNED.

 Frank Davis, Board Chairman

ATTEST: 

Douglas M. McKoy, Clerk of Court