REGULAR MEETING
LEVY COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AUGUST 18, 2015
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Levy County Commissioners was held on August 18, 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:
Danny J. Shipp – Clerk of Court
County Attorney – Anne Bast Brown
County Coordinator – Fred Moody
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. Joyner and the MOTION CARRIES.
| CHECK NUMBER | 120695-120843 |
| FUND | AMOUNT |
| GENERAL REVENUE | 423,915.43 |
| ROAD | 73,042.21 |
| PAL LIBRARY | 8,163.93 |
| TRANSPORTATION | 21,595.57 |
| COURT FACILITIES | 15.00 |
| EMS | 40,785.75 |
| FIRE | 32,739.72 |
| TOURIST DEVELOPMENT | 4,902.44 |
| UTILITIES | 1,764.77 |
| ADD COURT COSTS | 637.62 |
| DEBT SERVICE | 533,423.75 |
| LANDFILL | 12,616.95 |
| TOTAL | $ 1,153,603.14 |
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Pamela Willis spoke to the Board regarding the flooding situation in Inglis and Yankeetown due to recent heavy rains and culverts which do not adequately allow excess water to flow through. She stated a group of concerned homeowners will be coming in to the next Board meeting with a more in depth presentation.
Eldridge Fowler also expressed concerns of flooding in the Inglis area.
Barbara Snow spoke to the Board regarding the issue of handicap parking spaces. Mrs. Snow encouraged the Board to grant Mr. Gaither’s request of adding three (3) additional handicapped parking spaces in front of the courthouse.
Michael Gaither stated he would like to see at least three (3) additional handicapped parking spaces in front of the courthouse along the street and challenged the Commissioners to spend a day in a wheelchair. Upon Mr. Gaither’s request, Comm. John Meeks read into Public Record a portion of a letter stating the DOT requirements for handicap accessible parking spaces.
David Florance, Vice President of the EMS Local Union IAFF 4069, spoke to the Board regarding the hiring freeze of non-essential positions spoken of at the last Board meeting. He questioned Chief Knowles’ decision to add 6 new Lieutenants and requested the Board direct him to spoke with the union before making any changes.
Mr. Moody stated this item is still in the negotiation phase and there have been no decisions made yet.
David J. Elliott apologized to Atty. Brown for his misunderstanding in his reading of a letter recently. He then thanked Mr. Gaither for his support of those who are disabled. He also commended the Sheriff’s Department for the recent drug sting arrests.
PUBLIC HEARING
Shenley Neely, Planning Director
Request to adopt Ordinance 2015-08 amending the schedule of Capital Improvement for Levy County as required annually by Florida Statute.
Ms. Neely requested the Board adopt Ordinance 2015-08 amending the schedule of Capital Improvement for Levy County as required annually by Florida Statute. Ms. Neely then read the title of the Ordinance into public record.
Comm. John Meeks asked if there was anyone wishing to speak regarding this Ordinance.
Renate Cannon asked if the expense for implementing handicap parking access would be funded through Capital Improvements under this Ordinance.
Ms. Neely answered she was of the understanding this Ordinance would not apply to this type of improvement and Comm. John Meeks added any expense involving handicap parking access would likely come from Courthouse Improvement funds.
Comm. Joyner made a motion to adopt Ordinance 2015-08 as requested. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
PLANNING
Shenley Neely, Planning Director
Request a motion to approve the re-appointment of Mr. Marlon Gayle as the Levy County Public Sector Representative to the Board of Directors for the Central Florida Community Action Agency (CFCAA) for the period October 1, 2015 through September 30, 2016.
Ms. Neely requested the Board re-appoint Marlon Gayle as the Levy County Public Sector Representative to the Board of Directors for the Central Florida Community Action Agency for the period of October 1, 2015 through September 20, 2016.
Comm. Rock Meeks made a motion to re-appoint Marlon Gayle as the Public Sector Representative for Levy County to the Board of Directors for the Central Florida Community Action Agency as requested. Second was made by Comm. Rooks and the MOTION CARRIES.
SHIP
Shenley Neely, Director
Request a motion to approve SHIP Annual Reports to be submitted to Florida Housing Finance Corporation.
Ms. Neely requested Board approval of the SHIP Annual Reports to be submitted to the Florida Housing Finance Corporation with the approval of the Chairman to sign the Certification for Implementation of Regulatory Reform Activities and the Certification of Report Submission.
Comm. Stevens made a motion to approve the SHIP Annual Reports with the Chairman’s signature on forms as requested. Second was made by Comm. Joyner and the MOTION CARRIES.
NATURE COAST BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
David Pieklik, Director
A. Presenting a brief progress report for the months of June, July and August on activities and accomplishments; ongoing projects.
Mr. Pieklik presented a progress report of the Nature Coast Business Development Council to the Board for the months of June, July and August on activities, accomplishments and ongoing projects.
Questions were asked by Toni Collins, Terry Witt and David J. Elliott. These questions were addressed by Mr. Pieklik.
Mr. Pieklik added the next regular Board meeting of the Nature Coast Business Development Council is scheduled for 3:00 P.M. on September 10th at the College of Central Florida in the Community Room and is open to the public.
B. On behalf of North Florida Economic Development Partnership, request an adoption of Resolution 2015-36 for Rural Development Aid.
Mr. Pieklik requested Board approval of Resolution 2015-36 for Rural Development Aid on behalf of the North Florida Economic Development Partnership.
Comm. Stevens made a motion to approve Resolution 2015-36 as requested. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
Comm. Joyner asked Mr. Pieklik the status of the application process for tax relief to new businesses.
Mr. Pieklik answered he is working on getting this process streamlined and has given information to Atty. Brown for review.
LEVY COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Col. Mike Sheffield
Request further actions to complete the application for the Federal Fiscal Year 2015 Byrne Grant to supplement the Multi-jurisdictional Drug Task Force. Actions required are the following: (1) Review and approve the JAG program announcement, including Standards and Conditions; (2) Authorize the Sheriff to submit the completed application, including the standards and Conditions; (3) Sign and return the Certification Form stating that an EEOP is on file for review at the office of the Levy County Board of County Commissioners; (4) Sign and return to the BOCC consensus letter for participation in the grant.
Col. Sheffield requested on behalf of Sheriff McCallum Board approval for the Sheriff’s Department to continue with the filing process for the Federal Fiscal Year 2015 Byrne Grant to supplement the Multi-jurisdictional Drug Task Force.
Atty. Brown added today’s request is to authorize the Sheriff to proceed with completion of the application and to authorize the Chairman to sign the application when it is ready due to time restrictions involving the filing process and Board meeting dates. This will prevent the Sheriff from coming back before the Board for the final application.
Comm. Joyner made a motion to approve the Sheriff’s Department to continue with the filing process for the Federal Fiscal Year 2015 Byrne Grant as requested. Second was made by Comm. Rooks and the MOTION CARRIES.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
COUNTY COORDINATOR
Fred Moody
A. Request approval of the Contract of Sale between Plum Creek Timberlands, L.P. and Levy County for the purchase of 7.2 acres.
Mr. Moody requested Board approval of the Contract of Sale between Plum Creek Timberlands, L.P. and Levy County for the purchase of 7.2 acres in the amount of $16,820. The property is located off of Butler Road in Inglis.
Comm. Stevens made a motion to approve the Contract of Sale between Plum Creek Timberlands, L.P. and Levy County as requested. Second was made by Comm. Joyner and the MOTION CARRIES.
B. Request approval of the Aggregate Lease Agreement between Plum Creek Timberlands, L.P. and Levy County for 61.26 acres.
Mr. Moody requested Board approval of the Aggregate Lease Agreement between Plum Creek Timberlands, L.P. and Levy County for 61.26 acres. The Lease is for a term of ten (10) years from the effective date and may be extended for an additional ten (10) years. The amount is $22,750.00 per year and will increase on the 5th anniversary of the effective date and each year thereafter by 3% per year until the termination of the lease. An initial rental payment of $6,000 is to be made within thirty (30) days of the execution of the Lease, with subsequent rental payments due on each anniversary of the effective date thereafter until the termination of the Lease.
Bruce Greenlee also spoke regarding the Aggregate Lease.
Comm. Joyner made a motion to approve the Aggregate Lease Agreement between Plum Creek Timberlands, L.P. and Levy County as requested. Second was made by Comm. Stevens and the MOTION CARRIES.
C. Request approval of 2016 Holidays.
Mr. Moody requested Board approval of the 2016 Holidays as listed below:
New Year’s Day Friday, January 1, 2016
Martin Luther King Day Monday, January 18, 2016
Good Friday Friday, March 25, 2016
Memorial Day Monday, May 30, 2016
Independence Day Monday, July 4, 2016
Labor Day Monday, September 5, 2016
Veteran’s Day Friday, November 11, 2016
Thanksgiving Thursday, November 24 and Friday, November 25, 2016
Christmas Friday, December 23 and Monday, December 26, 2016
One Floating Personal Day (to be taken during the calendar year)
Comm. Stevens made a motion to approve the 2016 Holidays as presented. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
ASSISTANT TO THE COUNTY COORDINATOR
Wilbur Dean
Request approval to purchase a Storage Container Unit for the Supervisor of Elections.
Mr. Dean requested Board approval to purchase a 40’ x 8’ storage container unit for the Supervisor of Elections. The bids received are as follows:
Gator Storage Trailer Rental, Inc. $3,000
A Plus Cargo Containers, 2010 $5,800
A Plus Cargo Containers, 2002 $4,200
Pac Van $5,700
Comm. Joyner made a motion to approve the purchase of a 40’ x 8’ storage container unit for the Supervisor of Elections from Gator Storage Trailer Rental, Inc. in the amount of $3,000. Second was made by Comm. Stevens and the MOTION CARRIES.
LEVY COUNTY TRANSIT
Connie Conley, General Manager
Request approval of Business Associate Agreement between the Florida Agency for Persons with Disabilities and Levy County Board of County Commissioners for purposes of complying with requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.
Mr. Moody requested on behalf of Mrs. Conley Board approval of the Business Associate Agreement between the Florida Agency for Persons with Disabilities and the Levy County Board of County Commissioners for purposes of complying with the requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) of 1996.
Comm. Rooks made a motion to approve the Business Associate Agreement as presented. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
Mr. Moody addressed Mr. Gaither’s concerns of the handicapped accessible parking spaces stating this is a work in progress and ADA requirements will be followed for safety and liability. Mr. Moody stated he was informed churches are exempt from ADA, which explains why the Baptist Church located on Court Street can have handicap spaces along the street.
Mr. Dean also spoke regarding ADA requirements and the challenges the area surrounding the Courthouse presents. He stated according to the number of parking spaces available for the Courthouse, the requirement is to have four (4) handicap accessible spaces, one of which should be van accessible. There are currently eleven (11) total handicap spaces.
PUBLIC SAFETY
David Knowles, Director
A. Request approval from the Board and the Chairman’s signature to purchase one (1) Lifepak 1000 AED with accessories and service package from Physio.
Chief Knowles requested Board approval and the Chairman’s signature to purchase one (1) Lifepak 1000 AED with accessories and service package from Physio Control in the amount of $3,817.95. Chief Knowles explained this will replace an antiquated AED no longer able to be serviced. Physio is the vendor used for all of the Department of Public Safety’s heart monitor equipment.
Comm. Stevens made a motion to approve with the Chairman’s signature the purchase of one (1) Lifepak 1000 AED with accessories and service package from Physio Control as requested. Second was made by Comm. Joyner and the MOTION CARRIES.
B. Request approval for the Chairman to sign the “Verizon Wireless In-Building Agreement Terms and Conditions” agreement.
Chief Knowles requested Board approval for the Chairman to sign the Verizon Wireless In-Building Agreement Terms and Conditions Agreement. This agreement will allow for better cellular signal and data coverage at the Public Safety Complex at no charge to the County.
Comm. Stevens made a motion to approve the Chairman to sign the Verizon Wireless In-Building Agreement Terms and Conditions Agreement as requested. Second is made by Comm. Joyner and the MOTION CARRIES.
C. Request approval to purchase one (1) covered vehicle storage facility from Shed Ranch, Inc. for $3,653.00.
Chief Knowles requested Board approval to purchase one (1) 18’ x 28’ x 12’ covered vehicle storage facility for the Fanning Springs EMS Station from Shed Ranch, Inc. for $3,653.00. The bids received are as follows:
Bronson Ace $4,080
Keen Portable Building $3,985
Shed Ranch $3,653
Comm. Stevens made a motion to approve the purchase of a covered vehicle storage facility from Shed Ranch, Inc. as requested. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
Comm. Rooks asked for an update on the Fanning Springs EMS Station.
Chief Knowles responded they plan to have a unit in this station and operating by September 4th.
NON-AGENDA ITEM
PUBLIC SAFETY
Chief Knowles requested the Board hear a non-agenda item.
Comm. Stevens made a motion to hear a non-agenda item. Second was made by Comm. Joyner and the MOTION CARRIES.
Chief Knowles stated one of the ambulances was involved in a crash at the end of July totaling the unit. Chief Knowles requested the Board approve a transfer in the amount of $75,000 from their Reserve Contingency Fund to the Capital Equipment line item to purchase a new unit. The anticipated cost for the re-chassis is $70,687. The additional amount requested is for unforeseen costs which may be incurred.
Comm. Stevens made a motion to approve the request to transfer $75,000 from the EMS Reserve Contingency Fund to the EMS Capital Equipment line item as requested. Second was made by Comm. Joyner and the MOTION CARRIES.
Questions were asked by Renate Cannon, Terry Witt and Toni Collins, and David Florance.
ROAD DEPARTMENT
Bruce Greenlee, Administrative Road Superintendent
A. Request approval of the Board of consulting engineering contract between the Board of County Commissioners of Levy County, FL and Mills Engineering Company for the years 2015-2016.
Mr. Greenlee requested Board approval of the Consulting Engineering Contract between the Board of County Commissioners of Levy County and Mills Engineering Company for the years 2015-2016. The hourly is the same as last year at $95 per hour for all services by the engineer and other services are calculated at the salary rate times 3.
Comm. Stevens made a motion to approve the Consulting Engineering Contract with Mills Engineering Company as requested. Second was made by Comm. Joyner and the MOTION CARRIES. Comm. John Meeks voted NO.
B. Request approval for yearly bid items.
Mr. Greenlee requested Board approval for yearly bid items as listed below:
Asphalt Central Materials
Emulsion Prime-Tar No Bid Received
Galvanized Culvert Pipe Metal Culverts
Motor Oils Jack Becker Distributors
Porta Potty Jones Septic
Safety Materials Safety Zone/Safety Products
Sign Materials Universal Signs
Sod Scherer Quality Farms, Inc.
Striping Jenkins Painting, Inc.
Comm. Stevens made a motion to award the yearly bid items as presented. Second was made by Comm. Rooks and the MOTION CARRIES.
Comm. John Meeks Mr. Greenlee what would be done about no bids received for Emulsion Prime-Tar.
Mr. Greenlee answered they will get quotes from E. A. Mariani Asphalt, Inc. and Blacklidge Emulsions, Inc. and take the best quote.
COUNTY ATTORNEY
Anne Bast Brown
Atty. Brown requested Board approval of the renewal proposal for the Abacus software as a sole source provider of software used by the Office of the County Attorney in the amount of $2,628.00.
Comm. Stevens made a motion to approve the renewal for Abacus software as requested. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Steve Minnis with the Suwannee River Water Management District spoke to the Board regarding the annual State of the Resource presentation. Mr. Minnis also presented the Payment in Lieu of Taxes for 2014 in the amount of $30,401.84.
Osborn Barker, Property Appraiser announced tax notices will be mailed out on Thursday.
Renate Cannon and Michael Gaither spoke regarding the handicap parking space issue.
Alberty Reese spoke to the Board regarding volunteering at the Animal Services facility.
Sallie Ann Collins spoke to the Board informing them of a crash which occurred recently near the intersection of SR 121 and CR 326. The intersection was recently investigated by the State upon the County’s request for the possibility of a traffic light being implemented and it was determined this would not be done.
COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS
Comm. John Meeks reminded everyone the next Regular Board meeting is scheduled for September 8th and there is a Tentative Budget Hearing scheduled for September 3rd at 6:00 P.M.
Comm. John Meeks also reminded everyone school starts back for Levy County on Monday so please drive carefully. High School football will also begin next Friday evening and Comm. John Meeks encouraged everyone to support their local teams.
Comm. John Meeks reported he along with Mr. Moody, Mr. Shipp and others from Court Administration met to discuss repair and maintenance issues of the courthouse.
Comm. John Meeks stated a letter had been received from Representative Jimmie T. Smith’s office requesting donation of a bus which has already been donated to the Landfill Department.
Comm. Joyner thanked Matt Weldon and the Mosquito Control for their efforts in controlling the mosquito population due to the recent heavy rains and flooding in the Inglis/Yankeetown area.
Mr. Weldon spoke to the Board reporting of the work they had been doing in an attempt to control the mosquitos in this area. Mr. Weldon also reported of the drainage ditch stating it was not dug nor could it be maintained by the County as there are no Easements. The information they were able to gather was reported to those departments which would have the authority to take action.
Comm. Joyner stated he had recently med with Ted Yoho regarding building issues within the Courthouse.
Tisha Whitehurst spoke to the Board reported she had also met with staff at Ted Yoho’s office and was given information regarding Grant’s which may be available to Levy County and she is checking into what the county could apply for. Grants which she is checking on are those which would help fund elevator upgrades and ADA issues.
Comm. Rooks spoke regarding adoptions from Animal Services.
David Weatherford spoke to the Board from Animal Services and gave a report of animal adoptions/rescues. He stated the Department of Animal Services works with over 145 animal rescue groups.
Lucille Reese and Albert Reese spoke regarding volunteering at Animal Services.
NON-AGENDA ITEM
ANIMAL SERVICES
David Weatherford requested the Board hear a non-agenda item concerning Animal Services.
Comm. Joyner made a motion to hear a non-agenda item. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
Mr. Weatherford requested Board approval of a pet adoption event to be held on September 19th at Tractor Supply in Chiefland from 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.
Comm. Rock Meeks made a motion to approve the pet adoption event as requested. Second was made by Comm. Joyner and the MOTION CARRIES.
THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE COMMISSION, THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 12:15 P.M.
ATTEST: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
LEVY COUNTY, FL
________________________________________ ________________________________________
Clerk of Court, Danny J. Shipp Chairman, John Meeks