REGULAR MEETING
LEVY COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
APRIL 19, 2016
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Levy County Commissioners was held on April 19, 2016 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
Danny J. Shipp – Clerk of Court
Chairman John Meeks called the Meeting to order at 9:00 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 | 123345-123506 |
| FUND | AMOUNT |
| GENERAL REVENUE | 397,776.49 |
| ROAD | 122,185.61 |
| PAL LIBRARY | 25,573.93 |
| MOSQUITO CONTROL | 130.97 |
| TRANSPORTATION | 4,403.51 |
| COURT FACILITIES | 652.50 |
| EMS | 45,610.29 |
| FIRE | 60,754.20 |
| TOURIST DEVELOPMENT | 3,557.59 |
| UTILITIES | 1,962.99 |
| ADD COURT COSTS | 2,978.45 |
| IMPACT FEES – PARKS | 24.13 |
| LANDFILL | 5,601.22 |
| TOTAL | $ 671,211.88 |
MINUTES
The minutes for the Regular Board meeting held on March 22, 2016 were presented for approval.
Comm. Rooks made a motion to approve the minutes for the Regular Board meeting held on March 22, 2016 as presented. Second was made by Comm. Joyner and the MOTION CARRIES.
CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION
Presenting Mr. Lindon Lindsey with a Certificate of Appreciation plaque.
Comm. John Meeks presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Lindon Lindsey for his work and years of dedication serving on the Archives Committee and the Transportation Disadvantaged Board.
Connie Conley spoke and thanked Mr. Lindsey for his work with the Local Coordinating Board for Transportation and stated it will be difficult to replace him.
PUBLIC HEARING
Bill Hammond, Development Director
Atty. Brown swore in members of the audience wishing to speak for or against either of the items to be presented.
Comm. John Meeks asked if the Commissioners had any ex-parte communication regarding the petitions being presented. There were none.
A. Request approval of FP 01-16 Final Plat of “West Point Acres”.
Mr. Hammond presented and requested Board approval of FP 01-16 Final Plat of “West Point Acres,” a residential subdivision located in Section 26, Township 11S, Range 14E, in Levy County.
Comm. John Meeks asked if there was anyone wishing to speak for or against the Final Plat presented. There were none.
Comm. Joyner made a motion to approve FP 01-16, Final Plat of “West Point Acres” as presented. Second was made by Comm. Rooks and the MOTION CARRIES.
B. Request approval of SE 01-16 Special, Exception Private Family Cemetery-Flora.
Mr. Hammond presented and requested Board approval of SE 01-16, a Special Exception to allow a private family cemetery on a parcel of land located in Section 15, Township 12S, Range 18E, in Levy County. The proposed cemetery area will contain .55 acres.
Comm. John Meeks asked if there was anyone wishing to speak for or against the Special Exception being presented.
Renate Cannon urged the Commissioners to approve the request.
Comm. Rooks made a motion to adopt the Order to Approve for SE 01-16 as presented. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
LEVY COUNTY VETERANS SERVICE OFFICE
Robert E. Lowyns, Director
Requesting a donation of $500.00 for the 50th Year Ceremony of the end of the Vietnam War.
Mr. Lowyns informed the Board the Tri-County Veterans Service Offices (Gilchrist, Dixie and Levy) have partnered with the ForVets, Inc., a 501c 3 military association to have a 50th Year Ceremony of the end of the Vietnam War. The ceremony will take place at Otter Springs Park and Campground on April 30, 2016 from 10:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M. Mr. Lowyns stated the Levy County Veterans Services Office is requesting a $500 donation from the Board in support of this event.
Comm. Joyner made a motion to approve the donation of $500.00 to ForVets, Inc. as requested. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
COUNTY COORDINATOR
Fred Moody
Request approval of Resolution 2016-009, authorizing acceptance and directing the recordation of a deed transferring from the City of Williston, Florida, Grantor to Levy County, Florida, Grantee.
Mr. Moody requested Board approval of Resolution 2016-009, authorizing acceptance and directing the recordation of a deed transferring from the City of Williston, Florida Grantor to Levy County, Florida, Grantee, property located adjacent to the Williston Municipal Airport in Levy County, Florida, consisting of portions of NE 170th Ave., NE 20th St. in Williston, Florida.
Comm. Stevens made a motion to approve Resolution 2016-009 as requested. Second was made by Comm. Rooks and the MOTION CARRIES.
LIBRARY
Lisa Brasher, Director
Presenting information on PAL Library Co-operative applying for a Federal Grant Fund that will be a great value to the citizens of Levy County.
Ms. Brasher presented information to the Board of a Federal Grant for the fiscal years 2016 and beyond under the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) the PAL Public Library Cooperative is planning to apply for. Ms. Brasher stated the PAL Cooperative has someone to write the grant.
Those in the audience who spoke regarding this item were: Lucille Reese, Toni Collins and Carol McQueen.
PARKS AND RECREATION
Matt Weldon, Director
Requesting approval of the use of Impact Fees at Blue Springs for renovations and improvements at the park.
Mr. Weldon requested Board approval for the use of Impact Fees as Blue Springs for renovations and improvements at the park. To clarify, Mr. Weldon stated at the Board meeting held on October 20, 2015, The RIVER Grant through the Suwannee River Water Management District is for renovations/improvements at Blue Springs. The SRWM District’s share is $190,000. Levy County’s in-kind share is $110,000 which is now being utilized and is eligible for use from the County’s Impact Fee funds. It encompasses construction of a seawall stop bank to prevent erosion and five (5) pavilions including picnic tables & grills.
Comm. Joyner made a motion to approve use of Impact Fees at Blue Springs for renovations/improvements as requested. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
TOURIST DEVELOPMENT
Carol McQueen, Director
Presenting a recommendation for the Tourist Development Council “Tourism Industry” vacant seat: Tracey Ann Allen-Owner, Tiger Island Hog Hunts, 2871 SW CR 347, Cedar Key, Florida 32625.
Mrs. McQueen presented the recommendation for the Tourist Development Council “Tourism Industry” vacant seat which is to appoint Tracey Ann Allen-Owner, Tiger Island Hog Hunts, Cedar Key, Florida.
Comm. Rock Meeks made a motion to approve the recommendation to appoint Tracey Ann Allen-Owner, Tiger Island Hog Hunts, Cedar Key, Florida for the Tourist Development Council “Tourism Industry” vacant seat as requested. Second was made by Comm. Joyner and the MOTION CARRIES.
SHIP
Marlon Gayle, Planner I
Requesting Board approval of Resolution 2016-23 approving SHIP Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP) for submission to Florida Housing Finance Corporation.
Mr. Gayle requested Board approval of Resolution 2016-23 approving the SHIP Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP) for submission to the Florida Housing Corporation for fiscal years 2016/2017, 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 in accordance with Florida Statutes 420.907-420.9079. The current LHAP will expire June 30, 2019.
Comm. Rock Meeks made a motion to approve Resolution 2016-23 as requested. Second was made by Comm. Rooks and the MOTION CARRIES.
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
Alesha Rinaudo, Assistant to Public Safety Director
Request approval to donate fourteen (14) surplus self-contained breathing apparatus and nineteen (19) corresponding bottles to Southwest Ranches Fire Rescue.
Mrs. Rinaudo requested Board approval to donate fourteen (14) surplus self-contained breathing apparatus and nineteen (19) corresponding bottles to Southwest Ranches Fire Rescue. The surplus equipment was removed from the asset log in April, 2015 due to the obsolete status.
Comm. Joyner made a motion to approve the donation of fourteen (14) self-contained breathing apparatus and nineteen (19) corresponding bottles to Southwest Ranches Fire Rescue as requested. Second was made by Comm. Stevens and the MOTION CARRIES.
ROAD DEPARTMENT
Alice Lalonde, Office Manager
A.Requesting approval for Consent to Entry: Plum Creek Timberlands, L.P. consents and grants to the Levy County BOCC a right to entry to property located in Sections 11, 14, 15 and 16, Township 16S, Range 16E in Levy County, Florida.
Mrs. Lalonde requested Board approval for the Consent to Entry for the sole purposes of temporary maintenance and use of a private forest management road known as King Road existing on the property and accommodate public access while culverts are being replaced within adjacent county roads.
Comm. Rooks made a motion to approve the Consent to Entry as requested. Second was made by Comm. Stevens and the MOTION CARRIES.
B. Requesting approval of Resolution 2016-024 rescinding and repealing Resolution 2016-008 and granting temporary easement to FDOT for Construction purposes located at Bridge #340011 on CR 456 at Lewis Pass in Levy County, Florida.
Mrs. Lalonde requested Board approval of Resolution 2016-024 rescinding and repealing Resolution 2016-008 and granting temporary easement to FDOT for construction purposes located at Bridge #340011 on CR 456 at Lewis Pass in Levy County, Florida. The easement document approved with Resolution 2016-008 contained errors in the time period for the easement as well as in the legal description and other identifying factors.
Comm. Rooks made a motion to approve Resolution 2016-024 rescinding and repealing Resolution 2016-008 and granting temporary easement to FDOT as requested. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
- Request approval for an Addendum to the Consulting Engineer Contract dated 8/18/2015.
Mrs. Lalonde requested Board approval for an Addendum to the Consulting Engineer Contract dated 8/18/2015 for grant agreements with FDOT for the following contracts:
- Resurfacing and widening of CR 343/NE 60th Street from CR 241 to SR 500 (US 27)
- Resurfacing and widening of CR 40A/SE 193rd Place from CR 40 to US 19/98
- Reconstruction and resurfacing of NW 110th Avenue/Clay Landing Road from SR 320 to the end of the road
Comm. Rooks made a motion to approve the Addendum to the Consulting Engineering Contract as requested. Second was made by Comm. Stevens and the MOTION CARRIES.
HUMAN RESOURCE
Jacqueline Martin, Manager
Present draft job description options for filling the Public Safety Director position. Requesting guidance from the Board.
Ms. Martin presented draft job description options for filling the Public Safety Director position to the Board and requested guidance of which option they would like to use and if any changes needed to be made.
The following audience members spoke regarding the job description for the Public Safety Director position:
Renate Cannon Steve Severance
John Gilbert Katie Graves
Joe Renaudo Terry Witt
Lucille Reese Barney Cannon
After discussion by the Commissioners, Comm. Rooks made a motion to approve Option B as presented for the job description of the Director of Public Safety. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES. Comm. Joyner voted NO.
Comm. John Meeks asked if there were any changes or additions the Commissioners wished to make to the job description chosen. After discussion, the following changes/additions were made:
Comm. Stevens made a motion to approve the addition to the job description to include documentation showing the applicants experience in a community with a combination of volunteer and career personnel preferred. Second was made by Comm. Rooks and the MOTION CARRIES.
Comments were made by Ron Grant, John Gilbert and Steve Severance
Comm. Stevens made a motion to approve the addition of requiring the person hired for the position of Public Safety Director to either live within 60 miles of Bronson or willing to re-locate in Levy County if they presently live outside of Levy County. A county vehicle will not be driven home if the person lives out of the county. Second was made by Comm. Joyner and the MOTION CARRIES.
After discussion of the salary range for this position, Comm. Rooks made a motion to advertise the salary range of $68,500-$75,000 for this position. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks.
Suggestions were made by Joe Renaudo and Scott Lippman to withhold the salary range from the advertised job description.
Comm. Rooks rescinded her motion to advertise the salary with the job description and Comm. Rock Meeks also rescinded his second.
Comm. Rooks then made a motion to advertise for the position of Director of Public Safety without the salary amount leaving the salary negotiable based upon the applicant’s skill level. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
The meeting recessed at 11:18 A.M.
The meeting reconvened at 11:28 A.M.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Toni Collins announced this Saturday, April 23rd is the 39th Annual Wild Hog Canoe and Kayak Race and invited everyone to come out to the event. She also announced on the old Land Coast Line caboose located on CR 326 will be moved to its new location at the property where the Wild Hog Canoe Race concludes on Thursday morning.
Dana Sheffield announced there is a free event at the Dixie County Airport also on April 23rd and invited everyone to attend. He stated there will be an air show and hot air balloons.
Sheriff McCallum stated this week is National Tele-Communicators Week and wished to recognize those working in this area.
Renate Cannon requested the meeting agendas be displayed on the televisions in the meeting room.
Mr. Shipp stated he will have them displayed on the televisions.
Mayor Weiss announced the South Levy Marketplace is this weekend from 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.
COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS
Comm. Joyner stated there is an FFA skeet shoot this Saturday at the Whitehurst Lodge and the Levy County Cattlemen’s Association meeting is this Thursday.
Comm. Rock Meeks stated there is no scheduled CAAA youth baseball this weekend.
Comm. John Meeks reported of the I-75 Task Force meeting he had attended last Wednesday. He had provided information showing the proposed plans for the new route to each of the Commissioners to review and discuss at the next meeting.
Comm. John Meeks reminded the Commissioners of the Executive Session at 1:00 P.M. today at the County Attorney’s conference room.
Comm. John Meeks stated a letter had been received from the Town of Bronson thanking the Board for the donation of an old ambulance chassis from the Road Department.
NON-AGENDA ITEM
CEDAR KEY BRIDGE-DREDGING DEBRIS
Comm. Rooks made a motion to hear a non-agenda item. Second was made by Comm. Joyner and the MOTION CARRIES.
William Cranley spoke to the Board requesting permission to use the Eight Mile Hill county site for disposal of debris from the dredging of the bridge in Cedar Key.
Comm. Rooks made a motion to approve disposal of dredging debris at the Eight Mile Hill county site as requested. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks.
Comm. Rooks amended her motion to include testing of the debris soil will be paid for by the City of Cedar Key. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
NON-AGENDA ITEM
CITY OF WILLISTON-WAIVER OF TIPPING FEES
Comm. Rooks made a motion to hear a non-agenda item. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
Comm. John Meeks stated he had been contacted by the City of Williston requesting the waiver of tipping fees for their City Clean-Up Day scheduled for April 23rd.
Comm. Stevens made a motion to approve waiving tipping fees for the City of Williston’s Clean-Up Day as requested. Second was made by Comm. Joyner and the MOTION CARRIES.
The meeting recessed at 12:05 P.M.
The meeting reconvened at 6:36 P.M.
PUBLIC HEARING
SPECIAL EXCEPTION 15-02
GUARDIAN ANGELS MEDICAL SERVICE DOGS
Atty. Brown advised everyone as to what had been decided up to this point and defined what could be considered at this Public Hearing.
Swearing in of audience members wishing to speak for or against the Special Exception was done by Atty. Brown.
Comm. John Meeks asked if there was any ex-parte communication by any of the Commissioners. Comm. Rooks, Comm. Joyner, Comm. Rock Meeks and Comm. John Meeks stated they had ex-parte communication regarding this Special Exception.
Mr. Hammond presented and requested Board approval of Special Exception 15-02, Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs. The applicants, Chris and Carol Borden are petitioning the Board for a Special Exception to bring into compliance an existing establishment known as “Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, Inc.” to allow a dog kennel for raising, training and the donating of service dogs to people with mental and physical disabilities.
Carol Borden spoke to the Board explaining what Guardian Angels does and the day to day operation of the facilities.
Members of the audience who spoke were:
Susan Heath Dwayne Perser
Karen Gelmish Tracey Vulow
Laura Lee Putzback Terry Witt
Linda Cooper
Comm. Stevens made a motion to adopt the Order to Approve Special Exception 15-02 as presented. Second was made by Comm. Joyner and the MOTION CARRIES. Comm. Rooks voted NO.
THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE COMMISSION, THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:20 P.M.
ATTEST: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
LEVY COUNTY, FL
________________________________________ ________________________________________
Clerk of Court, Danny J. Shipp Chairman, John Meeks