REGULAR MEETING

LEVY COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

November 16, 19 99

 The Regular Meeting of the Board of Levy County Commissioners was held on November 16, 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. Dean 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: 22190-22379

 GENERAL FUND                                       $165,529.63

 ROAD & BRIDGE FUND                            32,618.22

 LOCAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE             17,954.41

 LIBRARY                                                            964.89

 MEDIATION                                                       200.00

 COURT SERVICES                                      8,379.27

 LANDFILL & RECYCLING                         57,864.04

 SPECIAL LAW ENFORCEMENT                     61.85

 COURT FACILITIES                                            10.92

 FLORIDA POWER GRANT FUND                 387.89

 EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE         10,258.76

 SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION                            738.45

 FIRE CONTROL                                          22,507.41

 COMMUNICATIONS                                         333.80

 UTILITIES FUND                                               912.93

                                                      TOTAL $318,722.47

 MINUTES

Comm. Rooks moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of November 2, 1999, the special meetings of November 2, 1999 and November 9, 1999. Comm. Dean seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 MUNICIPALITIES

Ms. Edith Brown, representing the Town of Bronson, asked for the Road Department to pave 2200 feet of Main Street and the town reimburse the costs. Ms. Brown said this would allow the town to have the road paved less expensively than placing the road work out for bid.

Comm. Yearty said the Town of Bronson receives a portion of the gasoline tax to offset costs for road paving and if the Road Department did the paving project the other municipalities in the county would be entitled to the same treatment. Comm. Yearty added the Road Department has a number of county roads already scheduled for road work.

Comm. Foley said ten (10) different projects were just approved and the Road Department would not be able to do any other road construction in the near future.

Comm. Dean said he would review the request to determine if it was a feasible request and also if assistance could be provided for a bid process.

 BUILDING AND GROUNDS

Mr. Jimmy Jones said plans for renovating the heating and air conditioning in the old court room and the Traffic Division have been proceeding and the plans for the electrical and mechanical construction will soon be completed. Mr. Jones said a time constraint is occurring with weather conditions and is creating an emergency condition necessitating construction to begin at the earliest possible time. Comm. Dean said the present system is antiquated and the judges have expressed dissatisfaction of the climate control and the difficulties of temperature control and noise in the court room and this is an emergency situation. Comm. Dean moved to waive the bid process due to the emergency situation and to authorize Mr. Jones to obtain quotes with proper documentation and proceed with the repairs for the air conditioning. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED. Mr. Jones said the quotes will be reviewed by the engineer and the engineer will provide inspections as the work progresses.

 LIBRARY

Ms. Claudia Pirone reported that all five (5) libraries have Internet access and can access Marion and Alachua counties. Ms. Pirone said the copiers for the libraries have been ordered and will be delivered shortly. Ms. Pirone added the Gates Foundation has arranged computer training for eight (8) people at the Luther Callaway Library in Chiefland.

Comm. Yearty said the library hours were established upon approval of the grant application but needed clarification as follows:

Bronson Public Library 20

Cedar Key Public Library 20

Luther Callaway Public Library (Chiefland) 40

Williston Public Library 29

A. F. Knotts Public Library (Yankeetown) 20

Comm. Yearty moved to approve the hours for the five (5) libraries. Comm. Rooks seconded. Comm. Yearty said any changes of hours would need to be approved for continuity with payroll and the impact on the 1999-2000 library budget and the MOTION CARRIED.

 ROAD CLOSINGS

Mr. Greg Beauchamp said notice has been received that the road closing approved on February 17, 1998 for:

That certain portion of Pine Street lying adjacent to and east of Lot 7, Block "C" of Eleston’s Addition to Williston, as recorded in Plat Book 3, Page 5 of the Public Records of Levy County, Florida. Said lands situate, lying and being in Levy County, Florida.

Mr. Beauchamp reported the road closing has landlocked two (2) property owners. Mr. Beauchamp said Mr. James Willis has agreed to convey the right of way and allow the road to be reopened for $600.00 to offset expenses he has incurred. Comm. Dean said the Road Closing Policy now being utilized should prevent this from occurring in the future and recommends accepting this offer rather than having to proceed with condemnation procedures. Comm. Dean moved to approve preparation of the documents to convey the right of way to the county and to resolve the prior road closing for $600.00 payable to Mr. James Willis. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 ROADS, STATE

Mrs. Sharon Carter inquired if a median cut between N. E. 65th Lane and N. E. 94th Terrace was proposed on Alternate US 27. Comm. Dean said they would request a copy of the Department of Transportation (DOT) plans be placed in the Commissioner’s Office for public convenience.

Mr. Billy Cobb said the Florida Department of Transportation "Tentative Five-Year Work Program" for Fiscal Years 2000/2001 through 2004/2005 will be held November 29, 1999 and requests that Mr. Justin Watson attend the meeting on behalf of the county. Chairman Davis confirmed that Mr. Watson would be attending.

 CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS

Mr. Bill Beddow presented an annual contract with Mr. Frank Cox for work on the computer software system for Emergency Medical Services. Mr. Beddow said Mr. Cox has been performing this service for a number of years without a contract and being paid when services were rendered. Mr. Beddow recommended approval of the contract subject to the attorney’s review for $3,000.00. Comm. Rooks moved to approve the contract subject to the changes recommended by the county attorney. Comm. Yearty seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 SHERIFF

Sheriff Ted Glass presented for approval the Federal Annual Certification Report which reports the federal forfeiture fines to the Bureau of Justice. Comm. Rooks moved to approve and allow the Chairman to sign the certification report. Comm. Dean seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

Sheriff Glass said notification has been received from the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) that there will be a supplement on the Edward Byrnes Memorial Grant of $37,050.00 which will require $12,050.00 in matching funds.

 EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SERVICES

Mr. Ron Grant requested the installation of a flag at the Emergency Operations Center (EOC).

 CLERK OF COURT/TO BOARD

Mr. Douglas M. McKoy said a request has been received from Mr. Patrick T. Callahan, Senior Deputy Court Administrator to provide office space effective January, 2000 for Judge Maurice V. Giunta, Judge W. O. Beauchamp, Judge Martha Ann Lott and to provide other office space for the Child Support Hearing Office, Ms. Sherre Lancaster and her secretary Ms. Carol Wright. Mr. McKoy said the request also includes supplying equipment for Judge Giunta and his Judicial Assistant, Ms. Mary Jarvis. Mr. McKoy said this request was not included in the budget for the current fiscal year.

Comm. Dean said there have been discussions on allocating the old Civil Defense office for the Child Support Hearing Officer, however, that area is not handicapped accessible. Mr. McKoy said there has been discussion on converting the sally port or the relocating the 911 Addressing Department to the bank building purchased recently and which will house the Building and Zoning and Planning Departments.

Mr. McKoy said the final quarter billing has been received from the Court Administrator’s Office and it exceeds the budget approved for the 1998-1999 fiscal year and without additional instructions from the board, the finance office will only remit the remainder of the amount budgeted.

Chairman Davis requested the space committee to meet and discuss the request from the Court Administrator’s Office and also to review the request for office equipment. Comm. Foley remarked that the court system does not appear to consider the approved budget or what is affordable by the county nor do they attempt to utilize in a timely manner the space available at the court house.

 ORDINANCES

Chairman Davis called the public workshop to order at 10:00 a.m. concerning the proposed ordinance addressing the moratorium on mud bogging. Ms. Krista Kelly said the moratorium was imposed June 22, 1999 for mud bogging events to allow time to address the potential danger to the public and how the quality of life for residents is being affected. Ms. Kelly said the proposed revision to the Zoning Ordinance would revise the Land Development Code, Chapter 79, Section 2.02 to show permitted uses, accessory uses, non-permitted uses and special exceptions. Ms. Kelly said the new land use map reflects Rural Residential (RR) zoning adjacent to the Municipal Service Districts (MSD)in response to an inquiry by Comm. Dean. Comm. Dean said he was concerned about private hunting clubs. Ms. Kelly said these issues were reviewed and are permitted by right and there are certain factors which would trigger a special exception. Comm. Yearty moved to schedule a public hearing to consider adoption of the amendment on December 21, 1999 at 10:00 a.m.. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 SHIP

Mrs. Carol McQueen submitted the following Deferred Payment Loan Agreements for consideration:

Kathleen Miller - 9124 N. W. 128th Court, Camp Azalea, Block D, Lots 9 and 10, Chiefland, for $8,454.41 to purchase a dwelling.

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

Michelle L. White - Williston Highlands, Unit 1, Lot 18, Block A, Williston, for $9,500.00 to purchase a dwelling.

Comm. Foley moved to approved the Deferred Payment Loan Agreement. Comm. Dean seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

Mrs. McQueen said Ms. Jacqueline Nolff has requested a subordination of her SHIP loan. Mrs. McQueen said she has reviewed the request and it does not meet the policy requirements to grant a subordination agreement. Comm. Yearty moved to deny the request by Ms. Jacqueline Nolff to subordinate her SHIP loan. Comm. Dean seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 GRANTS

Mrs. McQueen said the paving projects are progressing as follows:

Service Area #3: SE 201st Street (Morris Avenue) is 90 percent completed with a completion by the end of the month.

Service Area #2: SW 60th Street (Rosewood area) is 20 percent completed with a completion by mid-December.

Service Area #1: NE 105th Avenue (Bronson area) is 5 percent complete to be completed on time.

Mrs. McQueen said a meeting was held with the contractor, V. E. Whitehurst & Sons, Inc. informing them the total job must be completed as contracted by January 27, 2000 to administratively close out the grant with the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and allow application for another grant.

Mrs. McQueen requested the appointments for the Citizens Advisory Task Force (CATF) for the 2000 CDBG Program to begin the process for a new Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). Chairman Davis nominated Mr. Kenneth Griffith; Comm. Rooks nominated Mr. Walt McJordan; Comm. Yearty nominated Mr. Louis Huch; Comm. Dean nominated Mr. Frank Schuler and Mr. Cliff Norris; Comm. Foley nominated Mr. Doug King. Comm. Foley moved to approve the appointment of those nominated. Comm. Dean seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 MISCELLANEOUS

Comm. Rooks advised that there will be a public workshop on the Rosewood Trail project on November 30, 1999 at the Cedar Key Lion’s Club.

Ms. Lou Janney said there are additional slots available for the Democratic Conference in December and if anyone wants to attend they should contact Ms. Janney or the State Headquarters.

 ROAD MAINTENANCE

Comm. Dean moved to place NE 65th Street from US Alternate 27 to LCR 337 on the paving list. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 COUNTY EMPLOYEES

Comm. Dean said he is reviewing the salary requests for the Maintenance Department and will report on his findings.

 ROAD AND BRIDGE DEPARTMENT

Comm. Foley said the opportunity to purchase a used road grader has arisen and he is recommending amending the Invitation to Bid for two (2) new road graders to one (1) road grader and to take advantage of purchasing the used grader at the greater savings. Comm. Foley moved to advertise the Invitation to Bid previously approved to one (1) grader and to document under the prescribed procedure the purchase of the used grader from Ring Power Corporation. Comm. Dean seconded and commented that this will allow for a comparison of purchasing a used grader and a lease program on a new grader for actual costs and the MOTION CARRIED.

 LIBRARY

Ms. Ruth Davis, Librarian of Luther Callaway Public Library, Chiefland introduced Mr. Steven F. Toepper as an applicant for Library Director.

Mr. Toepper said he was currently employed as Library Director of Walton County and was experienced in building a library system in a rural area. Mr. Toepper said he understood the technology required for library systems to be progressive and was instrumental in setting up the library system in Walton County and networking the various county departments within the system. Mr. Toepper said he was experienced in writing grants and Walton County realized over $400,000.00 in grants from grant applications he wrote. Mr. Toepper said books were very important to the library system and volunteers were a valuable asset in the operation of a library system.

Ms. Davis introduced Mr. Larry N. White as an applicant for Library Director.

Mr. White said he is currently employed by the Department of State, Division of Library Services in Tallahassee. Mr. White said he is attracted to Levy County and the opportunity to work with a brand new library system with enthusiastic community support. Mr. White said he is liaison for five (5) counties including Levy County and wrote the development grant for the first year of the Levy County Library System. Mr. White said his specialities include administrative, programming, technology, strategic management, system analysis and a love of books and he currently assists Library systems statewide. Mr. White discussed options in providing the Internet within the library system and various filters available to limit access for certain age groups. Mr. White said the library system is a valuable resource for all communities including the involvement of the schools, municipalities and public and encourages the use of volunteers within the library.

 SHERIFF

Sheriff Glass said the U. S. Marshall’s Office has requested housing for federal inmates and he is requesting authorization to accept the offer. Sheriff Glass said the county would be paid per diem for the housing and transportation of the inmates with the federal government being responsible for inmate medical care. Sheriff Glass added in the past when the jail was able to accept federal inmates the county earned approximately $500,000.00 annually and the information provided by the U. S. Marshall’s Office indicates an increase of inmates needing housing as a result of a U.S. Magistrate being placed in Gainesville and Federal Judge Stephen Mickle increasing trial and court activity. Sheriff Glass requested consideration of exceeding his budget in additional transportation costs and being able to utilize some of the funds received for housing federal inmates to offset the increases in his budget from housing and transporting the inmates. Comm. Yearty moved to approve the concept of housing federal prisoners subject to resolution of the financial management and approval of the contract by the county attorney. Comm. Rooks seconded. Sheriff Glass requested any monies earned be used for law enforcement. Sheriff Glass responded to Mr. Ron Grant and Mr. Barney Cannon on over-crowding of the jail population indicating he can house up to 114 inmates on a daily basis and the average population is 103 and the MOTION CARRIED. Comm. Yearty said housing federal inmates was previously done at the jail in response to an inquiry by Mrs. Renata Cannon.

 LIBRARY

Comm. Yearty moved to offer the position of Library Director to Mr. Larry White at an annual salary of $40,000.00. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 APPOINTMENTS

Comm. Foley moved to appoint Mr. John Henry Donaldson to the Community Action Task Force (CATF). Comm. Yearty seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE MEETING ADJOURNED.

 Frank Davis, Board Chairman

ATTEST:

Douglas M. McKoy, Clerk of Court