REGULAR MEETING
LEVY COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
DECEMBER 20, 2016
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Levy County Commissioners was held on December 20, 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. Matt Brooks
Comm. Lilly Rooks
Comm. Mike Joyner
Also present were:
County Attorney – Anne Bast Brown
Interim County Coordinator – Wilbur Dean
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. Rock Meeks made a motion to approve the following expenditures presented for payment. Second was made by Comm. Joyner and the MOTION CARRIES.
| CHECK NUMBER | 125927-126069 |
| FUND | AMOUNT |
| GENERAL REVENUE | 1,014,477.46 |
| ROAD | 90,628.62 |
| MOSQUITO CONTROL | 6.99 |
| TRANSPORTATION | 13,569.25 |
| COURT FACILITIES | 15.00 |
| EMS | 36,807.87 |
| FIRE | 40,242.09 |
| TOURIST DEVELOPMENT | 6,639.55 |
| UTILITIES | 1,549.90 |
| COMMUNICATION | 491.36 |
| ADD COURT COSTS | 669.50 |
| LANDFILL | 1,438.47 |
| TOTAL | $ 1,206,536.06 |
PUBLIC COMMENT
Comm. John Meeks introduced Ed Jennings, County Extension Director and Genevive Mendoza, County 4-H Director spoke to everyone. Mr. Jennings spoke to the Board expressing his and Genevive’s thanks for the opportunity to work with UF IFAS and Levy County.
Sara Potavinski spoke to the Board regarding the possibility of extended hours for Animal Control or for them to be open on Saturday. Ms. Potavinski stated she believed there would be more animal adoptions if the hours were more convenient for the public.
David Weatherford spoke and Comm. Lilly Rooks stated there is a possibility of an adoption event at the Animal Control kennel.
Those in the audience speaking regarding this item were: Toni Collins and Dr. Darlene Esler.
LEVY COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Comm. John Meeks recognized and presented a plaque to Harry Vaughn Lee for his years of service on the Planning Commission.
LEVY COUNTY CONSTITUTIONAL AND COURT FACILITIES COMMITTEE
Eighth Judicial Circuit, Paul Silverman
Mr. Silverman requested Board approval of a recommendation made by the Constitutional and Court Facilities Committee to the Board of County Commissioners. Their recommendation is to retain an architectural firm to develop plans to either re-furbish the existing courthouse or to develop plans for a new courthouse, giving the estimated cost of both. Mr. Silverman spoke of $1.3 million in Grant Aid funds received from the Legislature prior to 2008 for court improvement and asked for this money be allocated for use in retaining an architectural firm to develop plans. If it is not possible to utilize these funds for the study and development of plans, Mr. Silverman requested funds from the Court Facility Fund be used.
Comm. Joyner made a motion allow Mr. Silverman to use the $1.3 million in Grant Aid funds, if allowable, for retaining an architectural firm to develop plans for re-furbishing the Levy County Courthouse.
The motion dies for lack of a second.
Comm. Rock Meeks made a motion to Table this item pending clarification of what the Grant Aid funds can be used for. Second was made by Comm. Rooks and the MOTION CARRIES. Comm. Joyner voted NO.
Mr. Dean was asked by Comm. John Meeks to contact the Legislators for Levy County to inquire of the use of Grant Aid funds in order to have an answer by the next Legislative Delegation meeting coming up on January 18th.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
INTERIM COUNTY COORDINATOR
Wilbur Dean
A. Request approval to re-appoint Paula Kennedy to the Construction Industry Licensing Board, Seat
B. Request approval to re-appoint Thomas J. Inman to the Construction Industry Licensing Board, Seat
C. Request approval to appoint John Lott as Alternate Planning Commissioner member replacing Jeff Edison.
Mr. Dean requested Board approval to re-appoint Paula Kennedy to the Construction Industry Licensing Board, Seat 1; re-appointment of Thomas J. Inman to the Construction Industry Licensing Board, Seat 5; appointment of John Lott as Alternate Planning Commission member replacing Jeff Edison.
Comm. Joyner made a motion to approve the above requested appointments made by Mr. Dean. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
BUILDING AND ZONING
Mr. Dean requested on behalf of Bill Hammond Board approval to Schedule a Public Hearing for Levy Stone.
Comm. Joyner made a motion to set a Public Hearing for February 21st at 6:00 P.M. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
Comm. John Meeks reminded everyone to document any ex-parte communication the Commissioners may have regarding this item.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Sallie Ann Collins stated she was glad there were signs indicating construction would begin soon on a road in Steeplechase near her home.
Barney Cannon spoke regarding the discussion of re-furbishing or new construction of a new courthouse.
Dana Sheffield spoke to the Board expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the Commission meetings and wished everyone a Merry Christmas.
COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS
Comm. Joyner, Comm. Rooks and Comm. Rock Meeks wished everyone a Merry Christmas.
Comm. Brooks thanked the other Board members for their warm welcome to him as a new Commissioner and wished everyone a Merry Christmas.
Comm. John Meeks announced the upcoming Legislative Delegation meeting to be held at the Bronson Town Hall on January 18th and the public is welcome to attend; the “Wreaths Across America” held at Rosemary Hill Cemetery recently was a success; there will be a mural dedication at the Bronson Ace Hardware this Friday, December 23rd at 4:30 P.M. for the mural painted by Ed Rowe.
Comm. John Meeks stated he had been appointed to serve as a member on the Clearing House Committee for the North Central Florida Planning Council.
Comm. John Meeks announced he had received a letter indicating the Emergency Medical Services grant had been awarded to Levy County in the amount of $47,007.
Comm. John Meeks wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE COMMISSION, THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 10:54 A.M.
ATTEST: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
LEVY COUNTY, FL
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Clerk of Court, Danny J. Shipp Chairman, John Meeks