REGULAR MEETING
LEVY COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
September 7, 19 99
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Levy County Commissioners was held on September 7, 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 Sheriff Glass followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
EXPENDITURES
Comm. Foley moved to approve the following expenditures presented for payment. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
FUND AMOUNT
CHECK NUMBERS: 21043 -21338 (VOIDS 21043; 21056)
GENERAL FUND $755,914.82
ROAD & BRIDGE FUND 154,672.43
LOCAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE 11,175.29
MEDIATION FUND 300.00
FINE & FORFEITURE FUND 15,390.30
E911 COMMUNICATIONS 5,647.57
LANDFILL & RECYCLING 131,697.42
LAW ENFORCEMENT TRUST FUND 8,761.02
FLORIDA POWER GRANT FUND 2,072.69
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE 11,055.07
SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION 11,720.92
FIRE CONTROL FUND 11,977.00
EMS GRANT FUND 81,406.84
DRUG TASK FORCE 3,088.40
INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMUN 1,834.99
ST GRANT - JUVENILE JUSTICE 645.00
ADD REV BOND DEBT SERVICE 1,872.00
UTILITIES FUND 1,547.62
TOTAL $1,210,779.38
MINUTES
Comm. Dean moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of August 17, 1999 and the special meetings of August 16, 1999 and August 23, 1999. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
ROAD AND BRIDGE DEPARTMENT
Mrs. Jacqueline Martin opened the following bids:
Asphalt and Slag
Central Materials
E. A. Mariani
Bridge Guard Rails
Trinity Ind.
Galvanized Culvert Pipe
Gulf Atlantic Culvert
Metal Culverts
Safety Items
Safety Zone Specialist
Florida TransCor
Municipal Supply & Sign
Safety Products
John Warren
Safety Equipment
JMJ Company
Sign Materials
Rocal, Inc.
Municipal Supply & Sign
3M Company
Chairman Davis appointed Comm. Foley, Mr. Kelly Jerrels, Mr. Justin Watson and Mr. Billy Cobb to review the bids and make a recommendation.
ANIMAL CONTROL
Mr. Donald Callaway said there is a severe problem with dogs running loose in his neighborhood. Mr. Callaway said the dogs are running loose, biting people walking on their property, and chasing children in the neighborhood. Mr. Callaway said he spoke with the owner of the dog creating the largest nuisance and has not received any cooperation. Mr. Billy Cobb said he would advise Mr. Wayne Hardee to have Animal Control contact the owner of the dog and see if the problem can be corrected.
CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS
Mr. Billy Cobb presented for approval the agreement with Withlacoochee Regional Planning Council for the small generator assessment. Comm. Dean moved to approve the agreement. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
Mr. Cobb reported the repeater for Emergency Medical Services was destroyed by lightning. Mr. Cobb said four (4) quotes were obtained to replace the repeater, with the lowest quote being $6,027.00. Com. Yearty moved to approve the purchase of the repeater for the low quote and payment be from the Intergovernmental Communications fund. Comm. Dean seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
UTILITIES
Mr. Cobb reported the receipt of a capital credit refund from Central Florida Electric Cooperative in the amount of $1,656.81.
STATE AGENCIES
Mrs. Jacqueline Martin advised notice has been received from the US Fish and Wildlife Service of a public meeting on Tuesday, September 21, 1999 at the Tommy Usher Center in Chiefland to receive public input for preparation of a guide management of Lower Suwannee and Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuges for the next 15 years.
AGENCIES
Mrs. Martin presented the following requests for reappointments to the Levy County Transportation Disadvantaged Coordinating Board:
Representative of the County School Board - Robert Lee, voting member and Cliff Norris, alternate, with a term of July 1999 to June 2002.
Representative of Early Childhood Services - Jennie Lynne Hudson-Lane, voting member for a term of July 1999 to June 2002.
Representative of Private for Profit Transportation Provider - Tom Martin, voting member for a term of July 1999 to June 2002.
Comm. Foley moved to approve the appointments as recommended to the Transportation Disadvantaged Coordinating Board with the Withlacoochee Regional Planning Council. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
ROAD MAINTENANCE
Mr. Justin Watson presented the following requests for maintenance on a one (1) time basis:
Ocala Highlands West, SE 63rd Place between SE 216th Avenue and SE 220th Avenue, requiring 10-12 loads rock and trees in need of trimming with dedicated right of way; and SE 60th Lane and SE 220nd Avenue between SE 218th Avenue and SE 70th Street, requiring 15-20 loads of rock and grade, trees in need of trimming with dedicated right of way.
Comm. Yearty moved to approve the request for maintenance on a one (1) time basis. Comm. Dean seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
NW 137th Street between SR 19 and NW 70th Avenue, US 19 No. 1 Addition, needing four (4) loads of rock and grading with a dedicated right of way.
Comm. Foley moved to approve the request for maintenance on a one (1) time basis. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
SHERIFF
Sheriff Ted Glass reported the Bureau of Justice, for Alien Reimbursement has remitted $25,300.00 and requests this be allowed to carry over for the new fiscal year.
Sheriff Glass presented the agreement for the Federal Equitable Sharing Agreement effective September 30, 1999 to September 30, 2002 for approval. Sheriff Glass said the agreement allows for the equitable sharing of forfeited cash, property, proceeds and any interest earned thereon with participating law enforcement agencies. Comm. Rooks moved to approve the agreement and authorize the Chairman to sign. Comm. Dean seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
Sheriff Glass reported problems occurring with the air conditioning system at the jail and it appears the system is going to need extensive repairs. Chairman Davis will inspect the air conditioning system and report on his findings.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Mrs. Paula Lane presented the agreement with the State of Florida Department of Community Affairs (DCA) for the preparation of the hazardous materials emergency planning analysis. Comm. Dean moved to approve the agreement. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
Mrs. Lane presented the agreement with Withlacoochee Regional Planning Council for the preparation of the hazard analyses for approval. Comm. Dean moved to approve the agreement. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
ZONING
Mr. Rob Corbitt presented for consideration a petition for Hardship Variance as follows:
Petition No. VA-00293 - Helen Boor, petitioning the Board for a Hardship Variance to allow a second dwelling in order for her son, Jamie Kevin Smith, to care for her on a parcel of land located in the NE 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of Section 10, Township 13S, Range 18E, in Levy County. Said parcel contains five (5) acres more or less and is located within a Rural Residential "RR" zone.
Mr. Corbitt said there is currently two (2) dwellings located on the property which have utilities connected. Mr. Corbitt said the mobile home Mrs. Boor currently resides in was placed on the property as a hardship variance for her to care for her mother in 1992. Mr. Corbitt said written opposition was received from Thomas Taft an adjacent property owner and Sheila Lashway.
Mrs. Boor said the wooden dwelling on the property is being used for storage and has the washer, dryer and freezer located in it and only has water and electrical connected with the kitchen being removed and she plans on removing the dwelling. Comm. Dean moved to deny the petition for a hardship variance until compliance is met with the removal of the original hardship variance which ended in 1997 and allow for reapplication of the petition for a hardship variance. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
TAX COLLECTOR
Mr. Greg Beauchamp presented the agreement to authorize Mr. Donald Richburg, Tax Collector, as agent for the Board to prepare the Non-ad valorem Special Assessment Roll. Comm. Yearty moved to approve the agreement. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS
Mr. Beauchamp presented the amended agreement with Morriston-Montbrook Volunteer Fire Department for approval. Mr. Beauchamp said it was amended by the Morriston-Montbrook Volunteer Fire Department for subsequent audits by an auditor they have selected. Comm. Yearty moved to authorize the agreement. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
VOTING PRECINCTS
Mr. Beauchamp said Mrs. Connie Asbell, Supervisor of Elections has provided notice the Joppa precinct located on 346A is being abandoned as it is not handicap accessible or large enough for voter use. Mr. Beauchamp said the deed has a reverter clause to return the property to the original owner when it is abandoned and a quick claim deed needs to be approved to return the property to the spouse Mrs. Betty Richards. Mr. Beauchamp announced that Mrs. Betty Richards is related to Comm. Foley. Comm. Dean moved to approve a quick claim deed reverting the property to the original owner or heir. Comm. Yearty seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS
Mr. Beauchamp said the signed interlocal agreement has been received from Marion County, the City of Ocala and Levy County for the transferring of all library system employees as employees of Marion County effective October 3, 1999.
Mr. Beauchamp presented for approval the agreement with Mr. Robert A. Spates for the paving of that portion of approximately 1,500 feet of NE 20th Street, Williston and he will deposit with the county $20,000.00 for the cost of the paving prior to the commencement of the work. Comm. Foley moved to approve the request. Comm. Dean seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
LIBRARY
Comm. Yearty said the applications for Library Director have been reviewed and the Library Board requests permission to rank the applicants for first and second to be interviewed by the Board on September 21, 1999. Chairman Davis instructed Comm. Yearty to proceed with the recommendation of the Library Board.
Comm. Yearty said a requirement for the state funding requires one (1) library to be opened 40 hours per week and the Library Board recommends designating the Chiefland branch. Comm. Yearty moved to approve the recommendation recognizing the Chiefland branch for a 40 hours per week of operation. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
ORDINANCES
Comm. Rooks requested advertising a public workshop to review the noise ordinance on September 21, 1999 at 1:00 p.m.
BUILDING AND GROUNDS
Chairman Davis requested Mr. Jim Jones, Mr. Billy Cobb meet with Judge Joseph Smith to discuss the air conditioning system for the old court room and the traffic area.
ROAD MAINTENANCE
Comm. Dean said a stop sign is needed at the intersection of NE 110th Avenue located in University Estates.
Comm. Dean moved to approved the installation of the stop sign. Comm Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
GRANTS
Mrs. Carol McQueen reported the preconstruction conference for the road construction with the neighborhood revitalization grant was held and construction will begin August 30, 1999 and should be completed January 12, 2000.
Mrs. McQueen said consideration needs to be given for a Citizens Advisory Task Force (CATF) to begin working on recommendations for future projects. Mrs. McQueen informed the board that Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds may be used for new water or sewer systems, road paving, housing projects or expansion of water or sewer systems.
SHIP
Mrs. McQueen reported the SHIP program was audited September 1 and September 2, 1999 and the exiting interview was favorable. Mrs. McQueen said funds are now available and the purchase assistance strategy classes will begin in October for new home purchases. Mrs. McQueen said rehabilitation applications may be picked up after September 27 and emergency home repair applications may be picked up at any time as there is adequate funding available for this category.
CLERK OF COURT/TO BOARD
Mr. Douglas McKoy presented a letter received from Mrs. Martha Garcia-Baker of Davis, Monk & Company concerning the tax implications associated with the personal use of County vehicles and recommendations for a policy to adopt. Mr. McKoy said a policy needs to be adopted clearly indicating no personal use is authorized for employees assigned a County vehicle.
BUDGET
Mr. McKoy said the budget committee is recommending a moratorium on any further expenditures from the General Fund. Mr. McKoy said normal expenditures of payroll, utilities can be met but any additional expenditures be reviewed by Mr. Billy Cobb for approval on an emergency basis. Comm. Dean said any other expenditures will necessitate advertising and an increase of the budget. Comm. Yearty moved to cease expenditure of any additional funds from the General Fund except the normal expenditures until October 1, 1999. Comm. Dean seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
Mr. McKoy reported the budget for the 1999 - 2000 fiscal year can be balanced with a contingency reserve of $62,000.00. Mr. McKoy advised this includes the sheriff’s budget and acknowledged a request by the sheriff to have $34,300.00 added to his budget for the school resource officer from funds provided by the school board. Comm. Yearty moved to approve the adjustment in the budget for the Sheriff for the school resource officer with the funds being received from the school board. Comm. Dean seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
Mr. McKoy said discussions are continuing with the Court Administrator and their budget request and the concerns of the county on certain expenditures by the Court Administrator.
COUNTY LAND
Comm. Yearty said additional land is needed for the mining operations in Gulf Hammock to comply with mining regulations and he recommended negotiating with Georgia Pacific to secure sufficient land for future operations. Chairman Davis requested Comm. Yearty, Mr. Greg Beauchamp, Mr. Justin Watson, and Mr. Kelly Jerrels negotiate with Georgia Pacific and report on their findings.
Chairman Davis authorized Mr. Billy Cobb to contact the owners of Canal Forest and make an offer to purchase some acreage from them surrounding the Road Department to replace the land the state purchased for the widening of Alternate SR 27 using $1,500.00 per acre as an initial offer.
Mr. Cobb said Little Blue Springs adjacent to Blue Springs may be available for purchase. Comm. Dean moved to authorize Mr. Billy Cobb, County Administrator to negotiate for the purchase of Little Blue Springs. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE MEETING ADJOURNED.
Frank Davis, Board Chairman
ATTEST:
Douglas M. McKoy, Clerk of Court