REGULAR MEETING
LEVY COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OCTOBER 20, 2015
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Levy County Commissioners was held on October 20, 2015 at 9:00 A.M. in the Levy County Board of County Commissioners meeting room with the following Commissioners present:
Chairman John Meeks
Comm. Rock Meeks
Comm. Danny Stevens
Comm. Lilly Rooks
Comm. Mike Joyner
Also present were:
County Attorney – Anne Bast Brown
County Coordinator – Fred Moody
Chairman John Meeks called the Meeting to order at 9:03 A.M. Comm. Rock Meeks gave the invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
EXPENDITURES
Comm. Stevens made a motion to approve the following expenditures presented for payment. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
| CHECK NUMBER | 121372-121531 |
| FUND | AMOUNT |
| GENERAL REVENUE | 905,883.98 |
| ROAD | 82,450.00 |
| PAL LIBRARY | 813.43 |
| MOSQUITO CONTROL | 130.00 |
| TRANSPORTATION | 18,288.11 |
| COURT FACILITIES | 21.00 |
| EMS | 30,347.92 |
| FIRE | 106,675.91 |
| TOURIST DEVELOPMENT | 6,673.87 |
| UTILITIES | 2,377.65 |
| ADD COURT COSTS | 637.62 |
| CAPITAL PROJECTS | 17,344.07 |
| LANDFILL | 80,732.28 |
| TOTAL | $ 1,252,375.84 |
MINUTES
The minutes for the Special Board meeting held on September 14, 2015 and the Regular Board meeting held on September 22, 2015 were presented for Board approval.
Comm. Rock Meeks made a motion to approve the minutes for the Special Board meeting held on September 14, 2015 as presented. Second was made by Comm. Stevens and the MOTION CARRIES.
Comm. Stevens made a motion to approve the minutes for the Regular Board meeting held on September 22, 2015 with changes as stated. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Renate Cannon spoke to the Board regarding Department of Public Safety employee raises, specifically why they did not receive a raise in 2013.
Comm. John Meeks explained the Department of Public Safety employees are represented by a union which negotiated their raises separate from the rest of the Board employees.
Mr. Moody also explained how the union negotiation process works for pay increases for these employees.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
John Meeks, Chairman
A. Recognizing Mr. Robert E. Lowyns as 2015 County Veterans Service Officer of the Year by the Department of Veteran’s Affairs.
Comm. John Meeks made a presentation to Mr. Lowyns for being named the 2015 County Veterans Service Officer of the Year by the Department of Veteran’s Affairs.
B. Request approval to adopt Resolution 2015-52 supporting proposals by Citrus County, FL, to improve and expand recreational facilities around the Cross Florida Barge Canal and surrounding areas.
Comm. John Meeks presented Resolution 2015-52 for Board approval. This Resolution supports Citrus County in the improvement and expansion of recreational boating facilities, trails, and other recreational improvements in and around the Cross Florida Barge Canal and the surrounding region.
Toni Collins asked if there were any plans included in this Resolution to extend the Nature Trail south to the Withlacoochee River.
Comm. John Meeks stated extending the Nature Trail was not part of the expansion at this time.
Comm. Rooks made a motion to approve Resolution 2015-52 as presented. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
HAVEN HOSPICE
Anita Howard, Haven Hospice Administrator in Chiefland, Florida requested Board approval of Proclamation 2015-51, recognizing November, 2015 as National Hospice Palliative Care Month.
Comm. Rooks made a motion to approve Proclamation 2015-51 as presented. Second was made by Comm. Joyner and the MOTION CARRIES.
Ms. Howard provided an update of the “Fall at the Putnam Lodge” Haven Hospice event held recently in Cross City.
NATURE COAST BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
David Pieklik, Directo
A. Request approval of 2015-2016 Annual Contract between Levy County and Nature Coast Business Development Council.
Mr. Pieklik requested Board approval of the 2015-2016 Annual Contract between Levy County and Nature Coast Business Development Council.
Comm. Joyner made a motion to approve the 2015-2016 Annual Contract between Levy County and Nature Coast Business Development Council as requested. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
B. Review progress report for September to October, 2015.
Mr. Pieklik provided a progress report for September to October, 2015 as requested by the Board.
VISION CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
Pastor Carl Carnegie
Pastor Carnegie spoke to the Board regarding sidewalk access to Vision Christian Academy in Raleigh. He stated he is concerned for the safety of the children attending school and for those in the community walking to the park as well. Pastor Carnegie stated there is a large volume of constructions trucks which pass through this area regularly.
Comm. John Meeks stated he and some others will be visiting the area today to see if anything can be done with regard to any alternatives which could be utilized.
Mr. Moody stated he will research this situation and give an update to the Board at the next meeting the possibility of other funding sources.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
COUNTY COORDINATOR
Fred Moody,
A. Request approval of Funding Agreement between Levy County and Meridian for fiscal year 2015-2016.
Mr. Moody requested Board approval of the Funding Agreement between Levy County and Meridian for fiscal year 2015-2016. The funding amount agreed upon by the Board during budget discussions was $18,750 per quarter, which is the same amount as last fiscal year.
Comm. Stevens stated he did not agree with the amount of funding for Meridian and would like to see it reduced.
Comm. Rooks made a motion to approve the Funding Agreement between Levy County and Meridian for fiscal year 2015-2016 as presented. Second was made by Comm. Joyner and the MOTION CARRIES.
B. Request date and workshop for proposed ordinance amending Chapter 47 of the Levy County Code of Ordinances pertaining to Impact Fees.
Mr. Moody requested the Board set a workshop date for a proposed Ordinance amending Chapter 47 of the Levy County Code of Ordinances pertaining to Impact Fees.
It was agreed by the Board to set a Workshop for November 3rd at 11:00 A.M. or immediately following the Regular Board meeting.
ASSISTANT TO THE COUNTY COORDINATOR
Wilbur Dean
A. Requesting approval of the Board and signature of the Chair on the USDA Rural Development Grant Letter of Support for the Town of Inglis.
Mr. Dean requested Board approval and signature of the Chairman for the USDA Rural Development Grant Letter of Support for the Town of Inglis. If approved, the Grant funds will be used for the addition of bays at the existing fire station in Inglis.
Comm. Joyner made a motion to approve the Letter of Support for the Town of Inglis with the Chairman’s signature as requested. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
B. Request approval of the Board to accommodate the City of Williston’s request to waive Waste-Pro, USA dumping fees for the City clean-up event that will be held on October 24, 2015.
Mr. Dean requested approval of the Board of the City of Williston’s request to waive Waste-Pro, USA dumping fees for the City Clean-up event to be held October 24, 2015.
Comm. Joyner made a motion to waive the Waste-Pro, USA dumping fees as requested by the City of Williston as requested. Second was made by Comm. Rooks and the MOTION CARRIES.
SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS
Tammy Jones
Request approval of the Board to alter precinct lines for future elections (Florida Statute 101.001).
Mrs. Jones requested Board approval to alter precinct lines for future elections (Florida Statute 101.001). Altering the precinct lines will enable voters more convenience when voting at their polling place on Election Day.
Comm. Joyner made a motion to approve the request to alter precinct lines as requested. Second was made by Comm. Rooks and the motion carries.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
John MacDonald, Director
Request approval to contract with the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council for the 5 year LMS (Local Mitigation Strategy) Plan Re-write. Agreement will be paid out of 2015 SHSGP (State Homeland Security Grant Program) Funds.
Mr. MacDonald requested Board approval of the contract with North Central Florida Regional Planning Council for the 5 year LMS (Local Mitigation Strategy) Plan Re-write. This Agreement will be paid from the 2015 SHSGP (State Homeland Security Grant Program) Funds.
Comm. Joyner made a motion to approve the contract with the North Florida Central Florida Regional Planning Council as requested. Second was made by Comm. Rooks and the MOTION CARRIES.
LEVY COUNTY TRANSIT
Connie Conley, General Manager
Request Board approval of an agreement for a grant award of the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged Shirley Conroy Rural Area Capital Assistance Program Grant.
Mrs. Conley requested Board approval of an Agreement for a grant award of the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged Shirley Conroy Rural Area Capital Assistance Program Grant in the amount of $73,259. This grant was approved at 100% for the purchase of one cutaway vehicle with seating capacity of 12 and 2 wheelchair positions.
Comm. Rock Meeks made a motion to approve the Agreement for a grant award of the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged Shirley Conroy Rural Area Capital Assistance Program Grant as requested. Second was made by Comm. Rooks and the MOTION CARRIES.
PARKS & RECREATION
Matt Weldon, Director
Request approval to apply for the RIVER Funding Assistance grant through Suwannee River Water Management District for the Blue Springs Project.
Mr. Weldon requested Board approval to apply for the RIVER Funding Assistance grant through Suwannee River Water Management District for the Blue Springs Project. The funding amount requested for this phase is $300,000 and would be used for the dredging of Blue Springs and Little Blue Springs as well as restoration around the spring wall.
Comm. Rock Meeks made a motion to approve the application for RIVER Funding Assistance grant as requested. Second was made by Comm. Rooks and the MOTION CARRIES.
PLANNING
Shenley Neely, Planning Director
Staff respectfully requests the Board hear a follow up report and provide further direction on the issue of transferring lands currently within the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) into the Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD) creating a single WMD for Levy County.
Ms. Neely requested Board direction regarding the issue of transferring lands currently within the Southwest Florida Management District (SWFWMD) into the Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD), creating a single WMD for Levy County.
Comm. Stevens made a motion to direct staff to draft a letter to both Water Management Districts informing them of the County’s proposal. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
Comm. Rock Meeks made a motion to direct staff to work with appropriate parties to draft proposed legislation as requested. Second was made by Comm. Stevens and the MOTION CARRIES.
NON-AGENDA ITEM
SHIP DEPARTMENT
Comm. Rock Meeks made a motion to hear a non-agenda item. Second was made by Comm. Stevens and the MOTION CARRIES.
Ms. Neely requested Board approval for the SHIP Annual Reports for 2013/2014 to be submitted to Florida Housing Finance Corporation with the Chairman’s signature.
Comm. Rock Meeks made a motion to approve the SHIP Annual Reports for fiscal year 2013/2014 with the Chairman’s signature as requested. Second was made by Comm. Joyner and the MOTION CARRIES.
PUBLIC SAFETY
David Knowles, Director
Requesting approval to purchase the following Capital Equipment, two (2) 2016 Ford F-550 Chassis from Coggins Ford, in Jacksonville, Florida, $79,046.00, one (1) light rescue module from Emergency Tactical Vehicle in Sanford, Florida $104,581.00, one (1) remount/recondition Pierce mini-pumper (squad) from Emergency Tactical Vehicles in Sanford, Florida $56,517.00. – TABLED –
COUNTY ATTORNEY
Anne Bast Brown
Request consideration of an offer of $1,500 to settle an outstanding SHIP mortgage for Maggie and Gregory Allen with a balance due of $8,470.05 and if accepted, approve a Satisfaction of Mortgage contingent on receipt of the settlement offer amount. The settlement and Satisfaction will allow a sale of the Allen property and conclude the County’s interest in the foreclosure in Nationstar Mortgage, LLC, v. Allen, Case No. 38-2015-CA-000085, in the Circuit Court for the Eighth Judicial Circuit, Levy County.
Atty. Brown requested the Board consider an offer of $1,500 to settle an outstanding SHIP mortgage for Maggie and Gregory Allen with a balance due of $8,470.05 and, if accepted, approve a Satisfaction of Mortgage contingent on receipt of the settlement offer amount.
Natalie Thomas, the Realtor for this property spoke to the Board and encouraged them to accept the offer.
Comm. Joyner made a motion to accept the $1,500 offer to settle the SHIP mortgage for Maggie and Gregory Allen and approval of a Satisfaction of Mortgage as requested. Second was made by Comm. Stevens and the MOTION CARRIES.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Ron Grant commented on the Billboards placed along I-75 advertising Levy County.
COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS
Comm. Rock Meeks reminded everyone of several upcoming events:
October 24thLARC Ride to Provide:
Levy County Education Foundation Beast Feast
Morriston Baptist Church Fall Festival
October 28thChiefland First Baptist, Fall Fun Night
Comm. John Meeks invited everyone to the Bronson Trunk of Treats event on October 31st at the Youth League field starting at 6:00 P.M. The Addams Family musical is playing at the Chief Theatre in Chiefland.
THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE COMMISSION, THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 11:12 A.M.
ATTEST: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
LEVY COUNTY, FL
________________________________________ ________________________________________
Clerk of Court, Danny J. Shipp Chairman, John Meeks