REGULAR MEETING
LEVY COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
FEBRUARY 2, 2016
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Levy County Commissioners was held on February 2, 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 9:10 A.M. Comm. Rock Meeks gave the invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
EXPENDITURES
Comm. Joyner made a motion to approve the following expenditures presented for payment. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
| CHECK NUMBER | 122423-122594 |
| FUND | AMOUNT |
| GENERAL REVENUE | 1,261,816.70 |
| ROAD | 35,223.81 |
| SHIP | 30,350.73 |
| PAL LIBRARY | 3,172.68 |
| TRANSPORTATION | 1,144.04 |
| 911 | 12,560.17 |
| COURT FACILITIES | 1,665.88 |
| EMS | 14,679.64 |
| FIRE | 56,126.00 |
| TOURIST DEVELOPMENT | 2,183.07 |
| UTILITIES | 633.50 |
| DRUG TASK FORCE | 1,228.08 |
| IMPACT FEES – PARKS | 1,622.08 |
| LANDFILL | 95,498.55 |
| TOTAL | $ 1,517,904.93 |
| EFT PAYMENT | $ 29,993.15 |
PUBLIC COMMENT
Dana Sheffield reminded everyone City Elections are going on today in Fanning Springs for the vacant City Commissioner seat.
WILLIAM BETZ AND DOTTI HYDUE
Requesting staff mow easements only after litter is removed and modifications to the Adopt-A-Road program to accommodate low-income seniors who would like to participate in the program.
Ms. Hydue spoke to the Board and requested some modifications to the Adopt-A-Road program to accommodate low-income seniors wishing to participate in the program. She also requested they be notified when the Road Department mowing crews are scheduled to mow so they may pick up litter before the mowing is done.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
David Knowles, Director
Requesting approval for Director Knowles to sign and submit the application and any certifications required for the 2016 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant.
Chief Knowles requested Board approval to sign and submit the application and any certifications required for the 2016 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant. The application will request funding for a countywide recruitment and retention program with no cost to the county.
Those in the audience who spoke regarding this item were Terry Witt and Jeff Hardison.
Comm. Joyner made a motion to approve Chief Knowles signing and submitting the application and any certifications required for the 2016 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant as requested. Second was made by Comm. Stevens and the MOTION CARRIES.
ROAD DEPARTMENT
Alice LaLonde
Request approval and Chairman’s signature to adopt Resolution 2016-04 to schedule a Public Hearing on Tuesday, March 8, 2016 at 9:00 A.M. for the closure of a portion of SW 123 Ave, a/k/a Palm Avenue and SW 122 Terrace, a/k/a Walnut Ave, located in Cedar Key Heights Subdivision by petitioners James G. Mason, II and Nancy K. Mason, and Robert E. Palmer and Jamie Palmer.
Comm. Rooks made a motion to approve with the Chairman’s signature Resolution 2016-04 to schedule a Public Hearing on Tuesday, March 8, 2016 at 9:00 A.M. as requested. Second was made by Comm. Joyner and the MOTION CARRIES.
SHIP
Shenley Neely, Director
Request approval of a Deferred Payment Loan Agreement for Mercedes Williams, PA #531 in the amount of $20,000 for an existing unit in Chiefland.
Ms. Neely requested Board approval of a Deferred Payment Loan Agreement for Mercedes Williams, PA #531 in the amount of $20,000 for an existing unit in Chiefland.
Comm. Rock Meeks made a motion to approve the Deferred Payment Loan Agreement for Mercedes Williams as requested. Second was made by Comm. Rooks and the MOTION CARRIES.
TRANSIT
Connie Conley, General Manager
A. Request approval on several aspects of termination of contract with RouteMatch Software. Also asking approval to waive any bid procedures with approval to contract with CTS Software, Inc. and signature on a confidentiality agreement to review demonstration and related materials owned by CTS Software, Inc.
Mrs. Conley requested Board approval to terminate the contract with RouteMatch Software, the current software provider with the Chairman signing a letter to be drafted by the county attorney for termination; requested Board approval to waive any bid procedures with approval to contract with CTS Software. Mrs. Conley explained CTS will waive the costs of the software in the amount of $54,720.00. Upfront costs to initialize CTS Software will be in the amount of $7,800.00. CTS Software is comparable with RM Software, however, will provide a savings of approximately $18,000 per year. Mrs. Conley also requested Board approval for the Chairman’s signature on a confidentiality agreement to review demonstration and related materials owned by CTS Software, Inc.
Members of the audience who spoke were Kay Gaither, Terry Witt and Scott Lippmann.
Comm. Joyner made a motion to approve the (1) Termination of contract with RoutMatch Software; (2) Waive bid procedures; (3) Contract with CTS Software, Inc. and (4) Chairman’s signature on a confidentiality agreement as requested. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
B. Request approval of Supplemental Joint Participation Agreement Number 1 for 5339 Grant and approval to expend $116,000.00 to purchase a bus. Project description is amended in the Supplemental JPA for vehicle purchase from one 23’ bus to one 28’ bus.
Mrs. Conley requested Board approval of the Supplemental Joint Participation Agreement Number 1 for the 5339 Grant and approval to expend the $116,000 to purchase a 28’ bus.
Comm. Rock Meeks made a motion to approve the Supplemental Joint Participation Agreement Number 1 for the 5339 Grant and approval to purchase a 28’ bus as requested. Second was made by Comm. Stevens and the MOTION CARRIES.
COUNTY ATTORNEY
Anne Bast Brown
Request motion to approve Settlement Agreement between Plaintiff-Relator Jennifer Perez and Defendant Stericycle, Inc. by accepting and depositing the State of Florida Expense Warrant in the amount of $13,878.42.
Atty. Brown requested Board approval of the Settlement Agreement between Plaintiff-Realtor Jennifer Perez and Defendant Stericycle, Inc. by accepting and depositing the State of Florida Expense Warrant in the amount of $13,878.42. The acceptance and depositing of the State of Florida Expense Warrant will constitute the County’s acceptance of the Settlement Agreement.
Comm. Joyner made a motion to approve and accept the Settlement Agreement as requested. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Dr. Devaiah Pagidipati, MD CEO of Regional General Hospital in Williston spoke to the Board regarding the transport of patients by the Department of Public Safety. Dr. “P” indicated there had been instances where patients were advised by emergency medical personnel to be transported to hospitals other than Regional General in Williston.
Audience members who spoke regarding this item were:
Renate Cannon Jimmy Jones
Art Maruna Anthony Spadavechia
Kay Gaither Nancy Winninger
Comm. John Meeks stated he had requested confirmation of actual events where a patient had been diverted to another hospital after requesting to be transported to Regional General Hospital and had not received any evidence of this taking place.
Joseph Lander, Attorney for Regional General Hospital also spoke to the Board.
Scott Lippmann, City of Williston informed all of the passing of Bobby Williams. He stated the funeral services will be this coming Saturday at the First Baptist Church of Williston. Visitation will be at 10:00 A.M. and the funeral will be at 11:00 A.M.
COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS
Comm. Joyner announced there will be a Chili Cook-Off at the Williston Church of God on February 20th.
Comm. Joyner asked if there had been any progress in hiring someone for the position formerly held by Bruce Greenlee?
Mr. Moody answered he would follow the Board’s lead with regard to hiring. He stated the remaining staff had been doing the job with the assistance of Mr. Dean.
Comm. Rooks stated she will be attending a Small County Coalition meeting today in Tallahassee.
Comm. Rock Meeks announced there will be a FFA Rodeo coming up in March. There will be a Chili Cook-Off and Pie/Cake sale benefiting the Chiefland FFA on February 12th. Comm. Rock Meeks reminded everyone the Suwannee River Livestock Fair and Sale will be coming up in March.
Comm. John Meeks stated the Yankeetown/Inglis Lions Club will have their 4th annual SuperBowl weekend breakfast for any wishing to participate. The Cedar Key Lions Club has a Dinner/Dance planned for February 14th which will include a silent auction. On February 20th the Cedar Key Arts Center presents their fun-filled “Home Tour”. February 13th and 27th are the dates for the Chiefland Farmer’s Market. February 27th will also be the date for the Inglis/Yankeetown South Levy Marketplace. Comm. John Meeks stated the Superintendents Gala will be on February 20th.
The Florida Association of Counties in conjunction with the Small County Coalition is having their Legislative Days in Tallahassee today and tomorrow.
Comm. John Meeks stated Albert Fuller, Extension Agent is being replaced in the interim by Brian Estevez who will be the Levy County Extension 4-H Youth Development Agent and Ms. B.J. Jarvis is serving as the interim County Extension Director.
Comm. John Meeks spoke of an e-mail received from Steve Minnis of the Suwannee River Water Management District regarding concerns of the springs restoration and water supply, water conservation in Levy County so he is asking residents to contact their State Representative Charlie Stone and Senator Charlie Dean asking them to do what they need to do in order to protect Florida’s water supply.
Comm. John Meeks spoke of an e-mail received from the Florida Association of Counties regarding benefits Levy County receives from the Association.
THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE COMMISSION, THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 10:01 A.M.
ATTEST: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
LEVY COUNTY, FL
________________________________________ ________________________________________
Clerk of Court, Danny J. Shipp Chairman, John Meeks