REGULAR MEETING
LEVY COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
October 19, 19 99
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Levy County Commissioners was held on October 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
County Administrator - William C. Cobb
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.. The invocation was given by Comm. Foley 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: 21766-21947
GENERAL FUND $388,685.27
ROAD & BRIDGE FUND 36,730.64
LOCAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE 39,025.00
LIBRARY FUND 500.00
FINE & FORFEITURE FUND 15,008.05
E911 COMMUNICATIONS 5,601.19
LANDFILL & RECYCLING 54,594.39
FLORIDA POWER GRANT FUND 5,223.73
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE 13,154.42
SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION 2,516.24
FIRE CONTROL 43,612.75
UTILITIES $2,168.02
TOTAL $606,819.70
MINUTES
Comm. Foley moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of October 5, 1999. Comm. Dean seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
APPOINTMENTS
Comm. Yearty reported the formation of the Tri-County Coalition by Emily Delaino representing the school board. Comm. Yearty said the coalition is to comply with the school readiness program for early childhood from birth to five (5) years of age. Comm. Yearty moved to appoint Ms. Melody Carson of Inglis, Mr. Douglas K. McKoy of Bronson, and Ms. Laura Roberts of Williston to the coalition to comply with the school readiness program. Comm. Rooks seconded. Comm. Yearty explained the recommendations for the appointments were presented by the school board and Mr. Lannie Cardona, Levy County Development Authority with persons interested in volunteering their time and the MOTION CARRIED. Comm. Yearty requested a letter of confirmation be sent to Mr. Paul Johnson, School Superintendent concerning the appointments.
COUNTY LAND
Mr. Douglas K. McKoy said he did a title search recently concerning the East 50' feet of the SE 1/4 of Section 24, Township 11S, Range 17E located in Levy County and found this portion of land had been deeded to the county by E & E Burch on April 6th, 1966. Mr. McKoy said the land is now owned by Freebee Land Holding and they have requested the property be conveyed back to them. Mr. McKoy said there is no indication of the land being deeded for public right of way to the county and all surrounding property is owned by one owner. Comm. Yearty moved to convey the described property by deed to the current owner, Freebee Land Holding and to assume the cost of recording. Comm. Dean seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Mr. Bruce Day of Withlacoochee Regional Planning Council presented the Levy County Local Mitigation Strategy with a summary and a list of the work group who assisted in the compilation of the document. Mr. Day said the document will assist in prioritizing projects to mitigate damages from local disasters and provide information to allow competitiveness in applying for grant funding. Comm. Dean moved to approve the Levy County Local Mitigation Strategy and adopt the resolution accepting the Local Mitigation Strategy. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
AGENCIES
Ms. Sylvia Schenk of the Agriculture Extension Office, in conjunction with Ms. Jill Dobbs of USDA and the Natural Resource Conservation Services, said they are applying for a grant of $350.00 from the University of Florida to landscape the area surrounding the recently remodeled Agriculture Center. Ms. Schenk said they are planning to reconstruct the irrigation system and plant additional plants and are receiving donations for the project. Ms. Schenk said the 4-H members will do the work and she is requesting matching funds. Comm. Yearty said there was no objection to the concept but recommended returning with their request once the grant funds were approved.
ROAD AND BRIDGE DEPARTMENT
Comm. Foley presented the following recommendation for the Five (5) Year Plan for the Levy County road system:
- Reconstruction of additional lanes on US 27 Alternate from State Road 500 to the City of Williston.
- Pave shoulders of State Road 41 from US 121 to the Alachua County Line.
- Update traffic signals on US 41 at East 4th Street in the City of Williston.
- Widen and resurface State Road 347 from County Road 330 to State Road 55.
- Replacement/Rehabilitation of Bridge #340014 on Dock Street of the City of Cedar Key.
- Replacement/Rehabilitation of Bride #340045 across Ten Mile Creek on County Road 336.
- Installation of sidewalk (ISTEA) from SE 6th Terrace to SW 10th Street on State Road 345 and the installation of various sidewalks at previously approved locations.
- Installation of Sidewalk/Bike path on County Road 40 from Bird Creek Park to South Levy Recreational Park.
- Resurfacing of County Road 341 from County Road 218 to the Gilchrist County line.
- Resurfacing of County Road 339A from US 27 Alternate to County Road 320.
- Incorporate turning lanes on State Road 121 at the intersection of County Road 502.
- Incorporate additional caution lights at the school crossing on State Road 500 at SE 10th primarily for west bound traffic on State Road 500.
- Elimination of any embanked roadway currently planned for State Road 500 west of the Intersection of State Road 500 and Route 45 and State Road 121 in the City of Williston.
- Expansion of existing grass median of State Road 500 east of the City Limits of the City of Williston and expansion of the proposed median west of the intersection of State Road 500 and Route 45 and State Road 121 after it becomes a divided highway. Permission and authorization to erect "Welcome to Williston" low profile signs in the medians is requested.
Comm. Foley added County Road 347, known as Vista Road will be resurfaced from County Road 326 to
County Road 330 with funding generated by the Small County Assistance Program.
Comm. Foley moved to approve the projects recommended for the Five (5) Year plan for the Road Department and submit it to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).
Comm. Yearty seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
LIBRARY
Ms. Claudia Pirone, Interim Library Director said there have been favorable comments with the extended hours at each of the branches. Ms. Pirone said BellSouth has completed their hook ups and Computer Information Systems Consulting, Inc. (CIS) is prepared to do the cabling and set up of the computer systems at each of the five (5) libraries at the quoted cost of $2,600.00. Ms. Pirone said the $1,000.00 for cabling will be reimbursed by the Gates Foundation upon availability of the grant funds. Comm. Yearty moved to authorize the expenditure of $2,600.00 for the cabling and set up of the computer systems at each branch library from the Library fund. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED. Mr. Douglas McKoy requested Comm. Yearty and Ms. Pirone to meet and discuss the expenditures from the Library budget.
ROADS, COUNTY
Mr. Otis Green inquired into the status of the road paving projects he has requested in the East Williston area. Chairman Davis said the road running beside New Hope Baptist Church has been placed on the paving list and the survey confirming the right of ways for the other road has not been completed.
ZONING
Mr. Rob Corbitt presented the following petition for consideration:
Petition No. VA-00393 -- William St. John petitioning the Board for a Hardship Variance to allow a second dwelling in order for his daughter (Jolene Lemay) to care for her mother, Donna St. John, on a parcel of land located in Woodland Acres, Block D, Lot 9, less the North 282.78 feet of the West 770.23 feet, in Section 11, Township 14S, Range 17E, in Levy County. Said parcel contains 4.84 acres more or less and is located within an Agriculture/rural Residential "A/RR" zone.
Mr. Joe Remandi, an adjacent neighbor said he did not object to the daughter assisting in the care of her mother but had concerns on the number of foster children now in the home and if additional children were also going to be accepted.
Ms. Renata Cannon said she commended the St. Johns for their work with foster children. Mr. St. John said the double wide mobile home was not being placed on the property to house foster children.
Mr. Corbitt said letters of support had been received for the petition for the hardship variance. Comm. Foley said a review of the application does not address the issue of foster children but the affidavit is in order. Comm. Foley moved to approve the petition for a hardship variance with the understanding when the hardship ceases the dwelling must be removed. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
SHIP
Mrs. Carol McQueen presented the following Deferred Payment Loan Agreement:
Shirley A. Brabham, 7491 N. W. 40th Street, Chiefland, for $9,500.00 to purchase a home.
Comm. Foley moved to approve the Deferred Payment Loan Agreement. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
GRANTS
Mrs. McQueen said the road construction for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) neighborhood revitalization will begin with S.E. 201st Street (Morris Avenue) and all three (3) roads will be completed within 150 days. Comm. Foley recommended Ms. McQueen keep a time chart to assure the projects proceed on schedule.
Mrs. McQueen said the next cycle to apply for a CDBG grant is approaching and the Community Action Task Force (CATF) needs to be approved and to begin reviewing proposals for the next project. Mrs. McQueen reminded Department Heads the hiring of WAGES Program participants will increase points for the grant application.
MISCELLANEOUS
Mrs. McQueen said the grand opening of the Nature Coast Greenways Trail will be held October 30, 1999.
LEGISLATIVE
Mr. Billy Cobb said the Legislative Delegation will be held October 20, 1999.
STATE AGENCIES
Ms. Heather Alexander presented the Florida Division of Forestry Cooperative Forestry Assistance Program Annual Report and the Cooperative Fire Control Program Annual Report for July 1, 1998 to June 30, 1999. Comm. Dean moved to accept the annual reports as part of the minutes. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
BIDS
Mr. Rob Corbitt asked for authorization to advertise for Invitation to Bid for new vehicles for Building and Zoning and the Planning Department with the option to refuse all bids if the vehicles can be purchased through the state contract at a lower cost. Comm. Dean moved to advertise the Invitation to Bid for the vehicles and to include a vehicle for the Library Director. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS
Mr. Justin Watson presented the following contracts and resolutions for consideration of approval for the road projects in the Small County Road Assistance Program to allow resurfacing of evacuation routes:
County Road 326 from Waccassassa River to US 19;
County Road 347 from County Road 326 to County Road 330;
County Road 337 from County Road 336 to State Road 121;
Comm. Foley moved to approve the contracts and resolutions for the road resurfacing rojects with the leadership role being assumed by the county. Comm. Dean seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
GRANTS
Mrs. Carol McQueen submitted for approval the grant application with the Small County Assistance Program for economic development to resurface LCR 502 at the Williston Airport. Comm. Yearty moved to approve the grant application. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
PLANNING, COUNTY
Ms. Krista Kelly reported the approval of the Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR) and amendments to the Comprehensive Plan by the Department of Community Affairs (DCA). Ms. Kelly said after further discussion with DCA the EAR document was accepted without any further additional information being required. Ms. Kelly said the process will begin again in 2005.
Ms. Kelly submitted a memorandum for review of the Mudbogging Moratorium and proposed ordinance. Ms. Kelly recommended scheduling a public workshop on November 16, 1999 at 1:00 p.m. and then schedule the public hearing at the workshop.
COUNTY ATTORNEY
Mr. Greg Beauchamp presented for consideration the appointment of Thomas F. Nordlie as a conflict attorney for Special Public Defender cases. Comm. Dean moved to approve Thomas F. Nordlie appointment to the conflict attorney list. Comm. Foley seconded and the
MOTION CARRIED.
UTILITIES
Mr. Beauchamp said contact has been made with the Public Service Commission (PSC) on the abandonment of Springside Utilities water and sewer system and PSC is negotiating with a potential receiver of the utility. Mr. Beauchamp said the current owner is continuing to operate the system for the residents and in the event of an emergency the county is prepared to operate the system.
COMMISSIONERS
Comm. Yearty said the Cedar Key Garden Club with the assistance of the Division of Forestry and the Youth Camp has been involved in a project to eradicate the Brazilian Pepper plant off the coastline and have had the assistance of the County Agent, Anthony Drew and the University of Florida. Comm. Yearty moved to approve a donation of $1,500.00 to the Cedar Key Garden Club, a non-profit organization to assist in offsetting expenses involved with the eradication of the Brazilian Pepper plant and work they have done on county-owned land. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS
Comm. Yearty presented the Attorney Employment contract for Mr. Gregory V. Beauchamp, P.A. reflecting an increase to $5,166.66 per month which is less than 4%. Comm. Yearty moved to approve the contract for the renewal of the employment of Mr. Beauchamp as County Attorney. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
WATER WAYS
Comm. Rooks said a complaint had been received concerning two (2) "no wake" zones located near the airport in Cedar Key and it was requested to place the "no wake" zone signs further offshore and set a speed zone. Comm. Yearty said the responsibility should rest with the state agency who patrol and mark the areas in coastal areas and not the responsibility of the county. Comm. Rooks moved to relocate the signs at the second bridge going to the airport for "no wake" and to request the state to look at setting a speed zone. Comm. Dean seconded. Comm. Rooks and Comm. Dean voted YES and Comm. Yearty, Comm. Foley, and Chairman Davis voted NO and the MOTION FAILED.
COMMUNICATIONS
Mr. Billy Cobb said he would verify the status of the tower to be constructed by Sprint Telephone and will advise on his findings.
COUNTY EMPLOYEES
Comm. Dean said Mr. Jessie Ellzey previously was approved for a salary increase as management personnel, however, he is a part of the union bargaining unit and can only receive a 4% increase. Comm. Dean moved to correct the salary increase for Mr. Jessie Ellzey and Mr. Mike Schenk to 4% instead of a 5% increase as previously approved. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
Comm. Dean said a correction in salary is needed for Ms. Paula Lane, Emergency Management Services Director to $26,250.00. Comm. Dean moved to approve the correction of salary for Ms. Lane. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
COMMISSIONERS
Chairman Davis said a letter from the Governor’s Office has been received concerning a complaint they received on the salaries at the Sheriff’s Office. Comm. Yearty said this is an issue for the sheriff and not within the control of the Board of County Commissioner’s. Sheriff Glass said he would formulate a response to the correspondence from Ms. Wysocki.
THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE MEETING ADJOURNED.
Frank Davis, Board Chairman
ATTEST:
Douglas M. McKoy, Clerk of Court