REGULAR MEETING

LEVY COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

FEBRUARY 22, 2011

 

 

The Regular Meeting of the Board of Levy County Commissioners was held on February 22, 2011 at 9:00 AM in the Levy County Board ofCountyCommissionersmeeting room, with the following Commissioners present:

 

Chairman Danny Stevens

Comm. Marsha Drew

Comm. Ryan Bell

Comm.ChadJohnson

            Also present were:

CountyAttorney– Anne Bast Brown

CountyCoordinator– Fred Moody

Assistant to theCountyCoordinator– Dick Tummond

 

 

Chairman Stevens called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM.  Bruce Greenlee gave the invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

 

EXPENDITURES

 

Comm. Bell made a motion to approve the following expenditures presented for payment.  Second was made by Comm. Drew and the MOTION CARRIES.

 

 

 

LEVY COUNTY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

 

Joe Renaudo, Fire Dept

A.    Request approval to accept a Department of Forestry owned tanker from Marion County Fire Rescue.

 

Joe Renaudo, who spoke on behalf of Rick Bloom requested Board approval to accept a Department of Forestry owned tanker from Marion County Fire Rescue.  This tanker will replace the tanker in Gulf Hammock.

Comm. Drew made a motion to accept the tanker from Marion County Fire Rescue as presented.  Second was made by Comm. Bell and the MOTION CARRIES.

 

CITY OF CHIEFLAND

 

Teal Pomeroy, Mayor

A.    Discussion of Silent 911 System

 

Mr. Pomeroy spoke of concerns by the City ofChieflandregarding the proposed 911 fee increase to the cities.  He asked the Board what their plans were regarding the proposed spending increase in the 911 system.

Comm. Stevens stated a proposal has not yet been presented to the Board.  He stated when the proposal comes before the Board, each of the municipalities would be given an opportunity to express their concerns before a decision is made.

 

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

 

MayorLakeof the Town ofInglisspoke to the Board and stated he also had concerns of the proposed 911 system, but is now aware this had not yet come before the Board.  He stated the 911 service at this time is satisfactory without a new system.

 

Constance Greenlee spoke to the Board regarding concerns she has with the No Parking signs on CR 318.  She stated these signs were originally placed at the request of the residents in the area and are no longer necessary.  Ms. Greenlee asked what the procedure would be to have them removed?

Comm. Stevens stated they will check to see if there was any Board action at the time when the signs were installed.  If there was no Board action when the signs were placed at the location in question, they may be removed, but if Board action was taken, the Board would need to make the decision to remove them.

 

 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

 

COUNTY COORDINATOR

 

Fred Moody

A.    Amended Amendment to Lease Agreement between Yankeetown/Inglis Woman’s Club andLevyCounty.

 

Mr. Moody presented an Amended Amendment to Lease Agreement between Yankeetown/Inglis Woman’s Club for Board approval.  There was an addition to provide the Woman’s club with a key to the area the air conditioning/heating unit is.

Comm. Johnson made a motion to approve the Amended Amendment as presented.  Second was made by Comm. Drew and the MOTION CARRIES.

 

 

ROAD DEPARTMENT

 

Bruce Greenlee, Administrative Superintendent

A.    Proposed adoption of Resolution 2011-07 to schedule a Public Hearing on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at 9:00 A.M. for the closure of portions of roadway as requested by Petitioner, William R. Coutts, Jr.

 

Mr. Greenlee presented proposed adoption of Resolution 2011-07 to schedule a Public Hearing on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at 9:00 A.M. for the closure of portions of roadway as requested by Petitioner, William R. Coutts, Jr. for Board approval.

Comm. Bell made a motion to approve Resolution 2011-07 to schedule a Public Hearing as presented.  Second was made by Comm. Drew and the MOTION CARRIES.

 

B.     Request permission to place LCR 494 (NW 92Ct.) in Chiefland Golf and Country Club on paving list.

 

Mr. Greenlee requested Board approval to place LCR 494 (NW 92Ct.) in Chiefland Golf and Country Club on the paving list.  Second was made by Comm. Bell and the MOTION CARRIES

 

C.     Present to the Board the Changes/Additions to the Tentative 5-year Work Program.

 

Mr. Greenlee presented to the Board the Changes/Additions to the Tentative 5-year Work Program.

 

 

SHIP/WATER

 

Dick Tummond

A.    Deferred Payment Loan.

 

Mr. Tummond requested Board Approval of the Deferred Payment Loan Agreement for Austin F. Ratchford in the amount of $16,133.

Comm. Drew made a motion to approve the Deferred Payment Loan Agreement as presented.  Second was made by Comm. Bell and the MOTION CARRIES.

 

 

COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS

 

Comm. Drew reported she had attended the Rural Economic Development Summit inSt. Augustineand stated it was very informative.

 

Comm. Bell reported he had also attended the Rural Economic Development Summit inSt. Augustineand after speaking with the Governor, they would appreciate local feedback on who would be the right person to fill the vacant seat.

 

Comm. Stevens reminded everyone the Williston FFA will be holding a fundraiser on March 5^th at Rhino Outdoors and invited everyone to attend.

 

 

The meeting recessed at 9:25 A.M.

 

The meeting reconvened at 11:04 A.M.

 

 

WORKSHOP

 

LAKE-SUMTER EMS

 

A.    Jim Judge, Executive Director, Lake-SumterEMS-“When to Call 911” Program.

 

Mr. Judge gave a powerpoint presentation to the Board of how to educate the public on when to call 9-1-1.  The “When to Call 911” public awareness/education campaign was implemented by Lake-Sumter EMS in 2007.  The program focuses on providing the community with educational information on when it is appropriate and inappropriate to call 911.  Its goal is to provide the public with strategies to use in the case of a medical emergency, and to reduce the use of emergency resources in non-emergency situations.

Mr. Judge explained the dispatchers taking the 911 calls are trained to use a “Priority dispatch system”, which can be used to prioritize 911 calls.

 

 

THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE COMMISSION, THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 12:21 P.M.

 

 

ATTEST:                                                                                             BOARD OFCOUNTYCOMMISSIONERS

LEVY COUNTY,FL

 

 

____________________________________                                    ____________________________________

Clerk of Court, Danny J. Shipp                                                          Chairman, Danny Stevens

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MINUTES

 

Approval of minutes for the Regular Board Meeting held January 18, 2011.

Comm. Drew made a motion to approve the minutes for the Regular meeting held January 18, 2011, with corrections.  Second was made by Comm. Bell and the MOTION CARRIES.

 

 

 

ZONING

 

Rob Corbitt, Director

A.    Petition No. FP 5-10, Final Plat “HamptonCorners.”

 

Atty. Brown asked if there was any ex-parte by any of the Commissioners.  Comm. Stevens stated he had spoken with staff and with Mr. Croft.

Atty. Brown swore in members of the audience wishing to speak for or against the Petition.

Mr. Corbitt presented and requested Board approval of Petition No. FP 5-10, Final Plat “HamptonCorners.”

Comm. Stevens asked if there was anyone to speak for or against.  There were none.

Comm. Johnson made a motion to approve Petition No. FP 5-10, Final Plat “HamptonCorners.”  Second was made by Comm. Bell and the MOTION CARRIES.

 

 

LEVY COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT

 

Major Evan Sullivan

A.    Request to transfer a budget item to move a position from Corrections to Communications.

 

Major Sullivan requested to transfer $20,106 from Corrections to Communications.  Major Sullivan explained there were 12 positions in dispatch, but they have only 11 at this time, due to one employee leaving in December.  They are eliminating one position in the jail and would like to transfer this person to dispatch as there is a critical need in this department.  The amount asked for would be used for this employee’s salary.

Comm. Drew made a motion to approve the transfer of $20,106 from Corrections to Communications in the Sheriff’s budget.  Second was made by Comm. Bell and the MOTION CARRIES.

 

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

 

Noel Desmond spoke to the Board regarding theTri-CountyHospitaland the Certificate of Need.  After reading a statement to the Board, Mr. Desmond requested the Board not to stand behind another extension for the Certificate of Need which ends in April of this year.

 

 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

 

COUNTY COORDINATOR

 

Fred Moody,CountyCoordinator

A.    Proposed Amendment to Lease Agreement for A.F. Knotts library in Yankeetown.

 

Mr. Moody presented and requested Board approval of the proposed Amendment to Lease Agreement for A.F. Knotts library in Yankeetown.  He stated the Woman’s Club is requesting a key and access code to the library.

Comm. Drew made a motion to approve the amendment adding the language for a key to be issued with a unique access code and in the event the lessee does not comply with the terms of this provision, the key shall be returned promptly.  Second was made by Comm. Bell and the MOTION CARRIES.

 

Comm. Drew made a motion to add language to the amendment to state the key issued to the Woman’s Club is not to be duplicated.  Second was made by Comm. Bell and the MOITON CARRIES.

 

B.     Request from the Town of Otter Creek to place rumble strips within the city limits.

 

Mr. Moody reported the Town of Otter Creek had voted and approved the installation of rumble strips in the Town of Otter Creek.

 

 

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

 

Mark Johnson, Director

A.    Request to accept the 2011 State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP) Agreement.

 

Mr. Johnson requested Board approval to accept the 2011 State Homeland Security Grant Program Agreement in the amount of $15,000, which is a federal non-matching grant.

Comm. Drew made a motion to accept the 2011 State Homeland Security Grant Program Agreement as presented.  Second was made by Comm. Johnson MOTION CARRIED.

 

 

PLANNING

 

Shenley Neely, Director

A.    Request the Board confirm the appointment of the Levy County School Board representative to the Levy County Planning Commission.

 

Ms. Neely requested the Board confirm the appointment of Jeff Edison, Director of Administration at the Levy County School Board, to the Levy County Planning Commission.

Comm. Johnson made a motion to confirm appointment of Jeff Edison to the Levy County Planning Commission as requested.  Second was made by Comm. Drew and the MOTION CARRIES.

 

B.     Request the Board to direct staff to proceed with the necessary modifications and revisions to the Devil’s Hammock Management Plan to meet requirements of Rule Chapter 9K-7, Florida Forever Program.

 

Ms. Neely requested direction from the Board to proceed with the necessary revisions and modifications to the Devil’s Hammock Management Plan.  Comm. Stevens suggested working on the side not designated for hunting first, then work over to the other side.

 

C.     Request the Board schedule a Public meeting to hear a proposed large scale land use amendment for March 8, 2011.

 

Ms. Neely requested the Board schedule a Public meeting to hear a proposed large scale land use amendment for March 8, 2011.  Comm. Stevens suggested the Board members visit the site.  The Board agreed by consensus to hold the meeting on March 8, 2011 at 6:30 P.M.

 

 

ROAD DEPARTMENT

 

Bruce Greenlee, Administrative Superintendent

A.    Proposed Resolution No. 2009-56 regarding a release of easements inGracelandShores.

 

Mr. Greenlee requested Board approval and Chairman signature on proposed Resolution No. 2009-56 regarding a release of easements inGracelandShores.

Comm. Drew made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2009-56 as presented.  Second was made by Comm. Johnson and the MOTION CARRIES.

 

B.     Presentation of Quotes for courthouse parking lot and EOC parking lot striping.

 

Mr. Greenlee presented the following quotes for the courthouse parking lot and EOC parking lot striping:

 

Courthouse         EOC             Options              Total

Hicks Seal Coating and Striping, LLC           $3,925.00        $  550.00         $825.00           $5,300.00

H. Roath Seal Coating                                                  4,800.00            700.00                                 $5,500.00

ACP                                                                  4,582.50        1,350.84                                 $5,933.34

 

Discussion followed among the Commissioners regarding using local businesses.

Comm. Drew made a motion to accept the lowest bid from Hicks Seal Coating and Striping, LLC as presented.  Second was made by Comm. Johnson and the votes were cast as follows:

 

Yes                                          No

Comm. Johnson                      Comm.Bell

Comm. Drew                          Comm. Stevens

 

The MOTION DOES NOT CARRY.

 

Comm. Bell made a motion to accept the local bid from ACP as presented.  Second was made by Comm. Johnson and the MOTION CARRIES.

 

C.     Presentation of quotes for mowing tractors.

 

Mr. Greenlee presented quotes for mowing tractors as follows:

 

HighlandTractor/John Deere              $40,394.95

GreenSouth Equipment, Inc.              $43,325.00

Live Oak Tractor                                 $43,500.00

SuwanneeRiverKubota                     $44,300.00

Ring Power                                         $61,542.00

 

Mr. Greenlee requested approval to purchase from Highland Tractor/John Deere, the low bid as presented.

Mr. Shipp questioned if this should have been done as sealed bids due to the amount of the purchase.  He pointed out if the policy states if the amount is over $10,000, sealed bids are required, as the auditors will question it later and point out policy was not followed.

Comm. Bell made a motion to table the item in order to use the sealed bid process.  Second was made by Comm. Drew and the MOTION CARRIES.  Comm. Stevens votes No.

 

Mr. Greenlee requested Board approval to hear a non-agenda item.

Comm. Johnson made a motion to hear a non-agenda item.  Second was made by Comm. Drew and the MOTION CARRIES.

Mr. Greenlee explained to the Board US Pipeline is currently completing installation of the gas pipeline on HWY 19 and they have an excess amount of limerock boulders which they would like to donate and deliver toLevyCounty.

Comm. Drew made a motion to accept the rock from US Pipeline.  Second was made by Comm. Bell and the MOTION CARRIES.

 

 

SHIP/WATER

 

Dick Tummond

A.    Satisfaction of Mortgage.

 

Mr. Tummond requested Board approval of a Satisfaction of Mortgage for Geneva K. Bell in the amount of $4,600 in Purchase Assistance and $2,745.00 in Rehabilitation Repairs for a combined total of $7,345.00.

Comm. Drew made a motion to approve the Satisfaction of Mortgage as presented.  Second was made by Comm. Bell and the MOTION CARRIES.

 

B.     Deferred Payment Loan.

 

Mr. Tummond requested Board approval of a Deferred Payment Loan Agreement for Michelle E. Powell in the amount of $14,450.00.

Comm. Bell made a motion to approve the Deferred Payment Loan Agreement as presented.  Second was made by Comm. Drew and the MOTION CARRIES.

 

 

ATTORNEY’S REPORT

 

Anne Bast Brown,CountyAttorney

A.    Discussion and Direction of Amended Lease or Transfer ofSouthLevyPark.

 

Atty. Brown requested direction on some issues withSouthLevyPark.  She stated after an accident in 2006 where an individual filed a personal injury lawsuit, it was recommended by legal counsel provided by the County’s insurance carrier for the County to either quitclaim theSouthLevyParkproperty to Inglis or amend the Lease to provide additional protection.

MayorLakespoke to the Board and suggested the Board to transfer title to the Town ofInglis.

Comm. Stevens stated he didn’t think the Board which had originally done the lease intended to deed the land to Inglis.  He stated he would like to talk more with the Town ofInglisas this property is a county asset and could be tied to a bond.  He suggested this issue be addressed at a later date, such as in May.

 

B.     DEP Consent Order Discussion and Direction.

 

Atty. Brown requested the Board authorize and the Chair to sign a proposed Short Form Consent Order with the DEP for settlement of civil penalties for alleged violations of DEP permit requirements at the Levy County Landfill.  She explained the Consent Order proposes fines in the amount of $4,250 and is a settlement of the matter to avoid further administrative action and costs for both parties.

Comm. Drew made a motion to approve the Consent Order as presented.  Second was made by Comm. Johnson and the MOTION CARRIES.

 

 

COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS

 

Comm. Johnson stated the Levy County Education Foundation will be hosting a gala this Saturday at 6:00 P.M.

He stated he had attended a brief meeting on septic tanks and will keep Board updated.

 

Comm. Bell stated he had attended the Withlacoochee Regional Planning Development Council meeting last month and was sworn in.  The next meeting is scheduled for March.  He stated the North Florida Economic Development Partnership retreat was hosted in Chiefland at Capital City Bank and the Rural Economic Development Summit is coming up February 16-18 inSt. Augustine. He had attended the CLM Workforce Connection Consortium Briefing and was sworn in.  There are funds available withLevyCountyrepresentation.

Comm. Bell announced Tommy Dunford had passed away and there will be a service later in the week.

 

Comm. Stevens spoke about Senate Bill 248 regarding the BP oil spill.  He has contacted Senator Dean and Senator Oelrich’s offices in an effort to addLevyCountyto the list of County’s affected by the oil spill as we were not listed in the bill.

 

 

The meeting recessed at 10:50 A.M.

 

The meeting reconvened at 1:02 P.M.

 

 

WORKSHOP

 

A.    Discussion of Current andFutureCountyIssues.

B. EMSOverview.

 

Introduction to the audience as to the purpose of the Workshop was given by Comm. Drew.  She stated she did not post any rumor on Facebook regarding taking one ambulance off the road.

Mr. Moody stated the rumors about the Cedar Key EMS station closing were not true.  Mr. Moody added, due to the Board having new members, having these workshops is a good way for them to talk with them have the other Commissioners present to ask questions.

Comm. Bell stated he is interested in hearing from this and all of the other departments as to what they can and cannot cut in order to run more efficiently due to budget constraints.

Comm. Johnson stated he was glad to see everyone who showed up for the workshop and is interested to hear what they have to say.

 

The following members of the audience spoke in opposition to cuts within the EMS Department:

Carol Graves

Ronald Grant

Renate Cannon

Terri Ezell

Carol Sutton

Patti Collins

Paul Shear

Trish Siebold

David Florence

Katie Graves

Shawn Holcomb

Nancy Thames

Jerry Zeigler

Bob Dickman

Quinn Lesher

Elysia Foran

 

The meeting recessed at 3:01 P.M.

The meeting re-convened at 3:13 P.M.

 

Scott Dennison spoke to the Board summarizing what those who had spoken before him had said.  He then offered suggestions to the Board which could be helpful for the EMS Department.

 

The Commissioners asked questions as to how things could be improved from the EMS Director and employees of this department as they would best know what would and would not work.

 

The various suggestions offered by members of the audience andEMSemployees during the meeting are summarized below:

Raising part-time pay to encourage applicants,

Educating the public on when to call 911 and what is a real emergency

Raising theEMStax assessment

Changing to 12-hour shifts

Training and equipping dispatchers with a standardized list of questions to ask callers which would help them code and prioritize calls toEMS

Combining Fire and EMS Departments.

 

 

THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE COMMISSION, THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 3:51 P.M.

 

 

ATTEST:                                                                                             BOARD OFCOUNTYCOMMISSIONERS

LEVY COUNTY,FL

 

 

____________________________________                                    ____________________________________

Clerk of Court, Danny J. Shipp                                                          Chairman, Danny Stevens