REGULAR MEETING
LEVY COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
NOVEMBER 8, 2016
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Levy County Commissioners was held on November 8, 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. Lilly Rooks
Comm. Danny Stevens
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. Joyner gave the invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
EXPENDITURES
Comm. Rock Meeks made a motion to approve the following expenditures presented for payment. Second was made by Comm. Rooks and the MOTION CARRIES.
| CHECK NUMBER | 125451-125643 |
| FUND | AMOUNT |
| GENERAL REVENUE | 1,718,390.31 |
| ROAD | 91,814.60 |
| PAL LIBRARY | 4,947.19 |
| MOSQUITO CONTROL | 4,207.50 |
| TRANSPORTATION | 1,660.72 |
| 911 | 13,563.83 |
| COURT FACILITIES | 15.00 |
| EMS | 27,805.17 |
| FIRE | 115,306.78 |
| TOURIST DEVELOPMENT | 8,626.89 |
| UTILITIES | 21,065.02 |
| LANDFILL | 4,721.76 |
| TOTAL | $ 2,012,124.77 |
| EFT PAYMENT | $ 15,805.80 |
MINUTES
The minutes for the Regular Board meeting held on September 6, 2016 were presented for Board approval.
Comm. Rock Meeks made a motion to approve the minutes for the Regular Board Meeting held on September 6, 2016 as presented. Second was made by Comm. Stevens and the MOTION CARRIES.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Weiss spoke to the Board regarding trees on the right-of-way in Yankeetown on Riverside Drive which are in need of pruning or removal due to safety concerns. She stated they are asking for assistance from the Road Department.
Comm. John Meeks stated he would contact the Road Department to check into this request.
HAVEN HOSPICE
Anita Howard, Chiefland Administrator
Ms. Howard requested Board approval of Proclamation 2016-067 declaring November National Hospice Month.
Comm. Rooks made a motion to approve Proclamation 2016-067 as requested. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
Ms. Howard reported of the Annual Veteran’s Luncheon held recently stating there were over 200 in attendance.
LEVY COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY, INC.
Toni C. Collins, President
- Mrs. Collins requested permission by the Board to have the 28 volumes of “Search for Yesterday” digitized by the University of Florida, George A. Smathers Libraries Digital Productive Services and to post the information of the University’s website. Mrs. Collins also requested permission to disseminate any leftover copies.
Comm. Joyner made a motion to grant permission to digitize and publish the 28 volumes of “Search for Yesterday” as requested. Second was made by Comm. Rooks and the MOTION CARRIES.
- On behalf of the Historical Society, Mrs. Collins requested Board approval to avoid future copywright issues pertaining to “Search for Yesterday”, to notify the U.S. Copywright Office the Levy County Archives Committee (the claimant of copywrights on Volumes 14, 15, 19, 20, a Table of Contents and an All Name Index) has passed out of existence. Collins stated she would prepare the letter to be sent.
Comm. Rock Meeks made a motion to allow Mrs. Collins to prepare and send a letter dissolving the Copywright as requested upon review of the letter by the Board. Second was made by Comm. Rooks and the MOTION CARRIES.
INGLIS RECREATIONAL COMMITTEE
Betsy Webb requested on behalf of the Inglis Recreation Committee Board approval of road closures in Inglis in order to accommodate the Annual Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 10, 2016, starting at 4:00 P.M.
Comm. Joyner made a motion to approve the road closures in Inglis as requested. Second was made by Comm. Rooks and the MOTION CARRIES.
LEVY COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE/911 ADDRESSING
Mike West requested Board approval to purchase replacement parts for work stations in dispatch out of 911 Carry Forward monies. The quote received from the original vendor, Dispatch Products Company is in the amount of $11,872.00.
Comm. Joyner made a motion to approve the purchase of replacement parts using 911 Carry Forward money as requested. Second was made by Comm. Rooks and the MOTION CARRIES.
PARKS AND RECREATION
Matt Weldon, Director
Mr. Weldon requested Board approval of the quote from Marlin Marine in the amount of $25,000 to perform repairs to the Waccasassa Channel Markers destroyed/damaged during Hurricane Hermine. Marlin Marine previously installed the Channel Markers in November of 2015.
Rob Davis with Preble-Rish also spoke to the Board regarding the damages done to the Channel Markers. Mr. Davis stated the quote valid until November 26, 2016.
Comm. Joyner made a motion to approve Marlin Marine to make repairs to the Waccasassa Channel Markers as requested. Second was made by Comm. Rooks and the MOTION CARRIES.
COUNTY COORDINATOR
Fred Moody
- Request direction for advertising of delinquent tax notices since Levy County Journal is no longer in business.
Mr. Moody requested direction for advertising of Delinquent Tax Notices stating they had gone out for bids two years ago and asked if the Board wished to advertise for bids for the upcoming year as the Levy County Journal was awarded this bid and is no longer in business.
Linda Cooper, former employee of the Levy County Journal spoke to the Board and encouraged them to wait until February to make this decision.
Comm. Stevens made a motion to move forward with advertising for bids for this item. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
- Request approval of the attached Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Engineers/Engineering Consultants and advertise for the same.
Mr. Moody requested Board approval of the Request for Qualification (RFQ) as provided for Engineers/Engineering Consultants and to advertise for the same. Mr. Moody explained the purpose of this is to establish a library of pre-qualified providers.
Comm. Rooks made a motion to approve the Request for Qualification (RFP) for Engineers/Engineering Consultants and advertise for the same as requested. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
- Request to appointing Wilbur Dean as Interim County Coordinator during transition process.
Mr. Moody requested the Board appoint Wilbur Dean as the Interim County Coordinator during the transition process of his retirement.
Toni Collins questioned the Interim County Coordinator position and questions were answered by Comm. John Meeks and Mr. Moody.
Comm. Rooks made a motion to appoint Wilbur Dean as the Interim County Coordinator as requested. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
- Update on review of County Commission Board Meeting schedule/times.
Mr. Moody provided an update of the review of the County Commission Board Meeting schedule/times as requested by the Commissioners. Copies of County Commission meeting schedules for counties in the Small County Coalition in Florida with a population less than 150,000 were provided.
The Board agreed by consensus to Table this item.
Mr. Moody stated the recent County Auction brought in $18,887.91.
ASSISTANT TO THE COUNTY COORDINATOR
Wilbur Dean requested Board approval of Proclamation 2016-071 proclaiming November 17, 2016 as World Pancreatic Cancer Day and read the Proclamation into public record.
Comm. Joyner made a motion to approve Proclamation 2016-071 as requested. Second was made by Comm. Rooks and the MOTION CARRIES.
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
Alesha Renaudo, Assistant to the Public Safety Director
- Presenting Quarterly Report update for the second, third and fourth quarters of FY 2015/2016.
Mrs. Renaudo presented the Department of Public Safety Quarterly reports for the second, third and fourth quarters of FY 2015/2016.
- Presenting FY 2015/2016 second, third and fourth quarter write-offs to the Board for approval.
Mrs. Renaudo requested Board approval of the Department of Public Safety write-offs for the second, third and fourth quarter of FY 2015-2016. The amounts are as follows:
2nd Quarter $431,701.08
3rd Quarter $237,023.20
4th Quarter $187,078.27
Comm. Rock Meeks made a motion to approve the Department of Public Safety write-offs as presented. Second was made by Comm. Joyner and the MOTION CARRIES.
COUNTY ATTORNEY
Atty. Anne Bast Brown
- Consider and make decision on settlement offer in the Estate of Nancy Romagnolo of $200 for bill of $412.38 for ambulance services and to authorize County Attorney to sign the Release of Claim, if approved.
Atty. Brown requested the Board consider and make a decision regarding a settlement offer in the Estate of Nancy Romagnolo of $200 for a bill of $412.38 for ambulance services and to authorize her to sign the Release of Claim, if approved.
Comm. Joyner made a motion to accept the settlement offer as presented and to authorize Atty. Brown to sign the Release of Claim. Second was made by Comm. Rooks and the MOTION CARRIES.
- Authorization and ratification for County Attorney to sign Release of Claim in the Estate of Gaylia Kay McLeod based on payment of 75% of bill for $1,143.79 for ambulance services received.
Atty. Brown requested the Board authorize and ratify her signing a Release of Claim for the Estate of Gaylia Kay McLeod based on a payment of 75% of the bill for $1,143.79 for ambulance services received.
Comm. Rock Meeks made a motion to authorize and ratify Atty. Brown signing the Release of Claim in the Estate of Gaylia Kay McLeod as requested. Second was made by Comm. Rooks and the MOTION CARRIES.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Toni Collins questioned if the Department of Public Safety notifies the Attorney’s office when someone passes away leaving an unpaid bill to them.
Mitch Harrell, Director of Public Safety answered HIPAA laws prevent the release of any patient information, even if the person is deceased.
Comm. John Meeks recognized and presented a Certificate of Appreciation to outgoing Comm. Stevens for his years of service as a Commissioner and thanked him for the knowledge he has shared over the 16 years he has served. The other Commissioners thanked him as well and shared their appreciation for his work and dedication to the people of Levy County. Atty. Brown also thanked Comm. Stevens for the opportunity to work with him over the years.
Comm. Stevens expressed his gratitude for the working relationships of the other fellow Commissioners over the years and was thankful for the opportunity to serve the people of the County.
Sheriff McCallum spoke to the Board informing them of criminal activity the Sheriff’s Department is dealing with in the area of East Williston associated with large gatherings of people. He stated a large number of the people gathering are from outside Levy County.
Mayor Weiss stated the Withlacoochee Area Chamber of Commerce will hold an event this Saturday called “Rock The River” starting at 2:00 P.M. There will be bands and groups performing. Mayor Weiss stated the Yankeetown Seafood Festival will be on November 19th and 20th.
Mayor Weiss also stated the first Yankeetown Boat Parade will be on December 3rd beginning at 6:00 P.M.
Dana Sheffield thanked Comm. Stevens for his years of service and announced the Fanning Spring Festival of Lights and Boat Parade will be on December 3rd.
COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS
Comm. Joyner stated he would like to give Atty. Brown authority in dealing with items regarding the acceptance of payment less than what is owed to the County. It was agreed to bring this item back at the next meeting for further discussion before making a decision.
Comm. Rock Meeks announced there will be a “Cookie Walk” at 8:00 A.M. this Saturday at the Chiefland Methodist Church, there will be a historical re-enactment at Manatee Springs State Park Thanksgiving Weekend.
Comm. John Meeks stated there is a Craft Bazaar and lunch at the Bronson Methodist Church today. There will be a Veteran’s Day Parade in Bronson on Friday at 11:00 A.M. An event will follow at the James Cobb Park. The Chiefland Farmer’s Market will be on November 12th and 26th. There will be a Christmas Tree Lighting event at the Cedar Key Park on November 25th. The Kirby Farm Christmas Express will begin November 25th and 26th.
Comm. John Meeks stated the first conference call was held for the Growth Management of Agriculture and Environment Committee on which he serves for the Florida Association of Counties. Some of the big items this year are the Regional Planning Council and Local Fuel Tax Indexing.
Comm. John Meeks stated a letter had been received from the City of Fanning Springs Mayor Tripp Lancaster thanking the County for waiving the dumping fees for Waste Pro for their recent garbage and debris cleanup.
THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE COMMISSION, THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 11:40 A.M.
ATTEST: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
LEVY COUNTY, FL
________________________________________ ________________________________________
Clerk of Court, Danny J. Shipp Chairman, John Meeks