REGULAR MEETING
LEVY COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
FEBRUARY 21, 2017
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Levy County Commissioners was held on February 21, 2017 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
County Coordinator – Wilbur Dean
Danny J. Shipp – Clerk of Court
Chairman John Meeks called the Meeting to order at 9:03 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. Brooks and the MOTION CARRIES.
| CHECK NUMBER | 126520-126653 |
| FUND | AMOUNT |
| GENERAL REVENUE | 76,242.72 |
| ROAD | 469,404.40 |
| SHIP | 18,395.00 |
| MOSQUITO CONTROL | 1.86 |
| TRANSPORTATION | 18,745.43 |
| 911 | 11,872.00 |
| COURT FACILITIES | 15.00 |
| EMS | 23,727.05 |
| FIRE | 6,694.22 |
| TOURIST DEVELOPMENT | 4,757.63 |
| UTILITIES | 3,067.84 |
| ADD COURT COSTS | 669.50 |
| IMPACT FEES – PARKS | 4,652.50 |
| CAPITAL PROJECTS | 10.50 |
| LANDFILL | 84,942.92 |
| TOTAL | $ 723,198.57 |
| EFT PAYMENT | $ 16,046.34 |
| PRIOR YEAR VOID – ALLIANCE BUS | $ (84,631.00) |
| CHECK #124759 |
MINUTES
The minutes for the Regular Board meetings held on November 22, 2016 and December 6, 2016 were presented for Board approval.
Comm. Rock Meeks made a motion to approve the minutes for the Regular Board meeting held on November 22, 2016 as presented. Second was made by Comm. Joyner and the MOTION CARRIES.
Comm. Rock Meeks made a motion to approve the minutes for the Regular Board meeting held on December 6, 2016 and the MOTION CARRIES.
HARDISONINK.COM
Jeff M. Hardison requested the Board approve the purchase of $5,000 worth of delinquent Tax Notices advertisement from HardisonInk.com (a daily news website that serves Levy, Dixie and Gilchrist counties) for this one year.
After discussion, Comm. Joyner made a motion to Table this item to allow time for Atty. Brown to research this proposal further. Second was made by Comm. Rooks and the MOTION CARRIES.
Levy County Tax Collector, Linda Fugate spoke regarding a link being added to the Tax Collector website to direct users to access the Delinquent Tax Notices. She stated the paper advertising of Delinquent Tax Notices is required by Florida Statute.
Others in the audience speaking regarding this item were: Bill Bowen of the Chiefland Citizen, Dana Sheffield, Linda Cooper and Ron Grant.
BARBARA (ROBBIE) BLAKE
Ms. Blake presented a petition and questioned the Board for information relating to safety, fire protection, emergency planning in the event of a pipeline leak or explosion along the Sabal Trail pipeline which is under construction through Levy county. Ms. Blake expressed concerns of the lack of information and opportunity for public input regarding the planning of the pipeline given to the property owners affected.
Others who spoke regarding this item were: Robin L. Koon, Laura Catlow, Mary Helen Wheeler, Matt Zamora, Toni Collins.
Mike Laycock, representing Florida Gas Transmission Company spoke to the Board and gave a presentation of how Florida Gas Transmission Company transmits natural gas through their pipelines.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
COUNTY COORDINATOR
Wilbur Dean requested Board approval of the Interlocal Agreement between Levy County and the City of Williston for the collection of impact fees.
Comm. Joyner made a motion to approve the Interlocal Agreement between Levy County and the City of Williston as presented. Second was made by Comm. Rooks and the MOTION CARRIES.
TRANSIT
Connie Conley, Director requested Board approval of Resolution 2017-006 which will replace Resolution 2014-59 for the revision of the Vehicle Advertising Policy.
Comm. Rooks made a motion to approve Resolution 2017-006 as presented. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
SHIP
Shenley Neely, Planning Director requested Board approval of a Deferred Payment Loan Agreement in the amount of $13,545.00 for John Henry, PA #536 for the construction of a housing unit in Williston, Florida.
Comm. Rooks made a motion to approve Deferred Payment Loan Agreement, PA #536 as requested. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
Mitch Harrell, Public Safety Director
A. Harrell requested Board approval and the Chairman’s signature to terminate the prior agreement with CentreLearn and enter into a new agreement for their training platform at a cost of $5,635.30 for a one-year term.
Comm. Rock Meeks made a motion to approve terminating the prior agreement with CentreLearn and entering into a new agreement with the Chairman’s signature as requested. Second was made by Comm. Comm. Joyner and the MOTION CARRIES.
B. Harrell requested Board approval and Chairman’s signature on the Service and Product Agreement between Levy County and Icom. Services will be provided by Ashtin Communications from Gainesville, which is the company Icom uses in this area. This Services and Product Agreement is for the radio system at a cost of $61,677.00 for one year, billed quarterly. Mr. Harrell requested a budget amendment to cover this expense as it was not budgeted for the 2016/2017 fiscal year. Mr. Harrell stated he had consulted with Jared Blanton in Finance and the recommended fund to transfer from is Fund 127.
Comm. Rooks made a motion to approve with the Chairman’s signature, the Service and Product Agreement between Levy County and Icom and approval to transfer funds from Fund 127 as requested. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
ROAD DEPARTMENT – PUBLIC HEARING
Alice LaLonde, Office Manager requested Board approval of Resolution 2017-005 electing to use the uniform method of collecting Non-Ad Valorem Special Assessments levied within the unincorporated areas of Levy County, Florida stating the need for such Levy; providing for the mailing of this resolution and providing for an effective date. All property owners have agreed to dedicate right-of-way to the county.
Atty. Brown gave additional explanation for the Resolution to the Commissioners.
Comm. John Meeks asked if there was anyone in the audience wishing to speak for or against the item presented.
Those speaking regarding this item were: Dana Sheffield, Jeff Hardison, and Sallie Ann Collins.
Comm. Joyner made a motion to approve Resolution 2017-005 as presented. Second was made by Comm. Brooks and the MOTION CARRIES. Comm. Rooks voted NO.
COUNTY ATTORNEY
Atty. Brown provided notification to the Board an Executive Session is desired to discuss settlement or strategy related to litigation expenditures in American Atheists, Inc. and Charles Ray Sparrow v. Levy County. The executive session is requested to convene on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. in Hearing Room B, Levy County Courthouse, 355 South Court Street, Bronson, Florida.
Members of the audience speaking regarding this item were: Toni Collins, Robert Jordan, Renate Cannon and Dana Sheffield.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Barney Cannon spoke regarding the Sabal Trail pipeline project.
Toni Collins announced on March 3rd, 4th & 5th there will be a Railroads and Riverboats presentation at Cedar Key RV Crossings from 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Mrs. Collins also stated the Cedar Key light station guided tours will begin February 25th.
COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS
Comm. Joyner stated the Humpback Bridge in Cedar Key which had been washed out during Hurricane Hermine has been repaired and is now open again. He commended the Road Department for their work.
Comm. Rooks stated she is getting back to her Town meeting schedule. Comm. Rooks also stated she is watching Senate Bill 596 and House Bill 687 and would like to send a letter in opposition.
Comm. Brooks stated his quarterly “Team up to Clean up” program will be meeting at Williston City Hall at 9:00 A.M. Saturday morning before going to an area to clean a section of roadway which has been selected.
Comm. Brooks reported of a Water School he attended recently in Citrus County.
Comm. Rock Meeks stated CAAA sign-ups were last weekend and they are still accepting those wishing to participate. Coaches and volunteers are welcome.
Comm. Rock Meeks reported of the FWC meeting he attended recently in Citrus County. He shared information of the scallop harvesting season opening in a small portion of Dixie and Taylor County a month earlier on June 16th. Comm. Rock Meeks also shared information regarding the black bear issue other counties are dealing with and expressed concern for this to Levy county.
Comm. John Meeks stated he will be going to Tallahassee tomorrow during the Legislative Session. Two bills he is interested in are: HB 7005 and HB 17.
Comm. John Meeks reported of the Animal Control Association Training he had attended recently.
The meeting recessed at 11:49 A.M.
The meeting reconvened at 12:03 P.M.
PROPERTY ASSESSMENT CLEAN ENERGY WORKSHOP
Introduction was given by Atty. Brown informing the Board the PACE program is an alternative to funding certain types of improvements to private property owners. Atty. Brown stated Section 163.08 of the Florida Statutes allows for this type of financing for qualifying improvements by imposing special assessments by a qualifying local government on the improved property and these special assessments are voluntary for the property owner.
Those presenting are listed below:
- Mike Antheil with Renovate America (Florida Resiliency and Energy District)
- Jonathan Houston with Alliance NRG (Florida PACE Funding Agency)
- Terry Stark with Ygrene Energy (Green Corridor PACE District)
- Devesh Nirmul with Renew Financial (Florida Green Finance Authority)
Cindy Babione with Babione’s Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc. in Williston spoke to the Board stating she is a local HVAC contractor and is in support of the PACE program.
Levy County Tax Collector, Linda Fugate spoke regarding implementing the special assessment on the tax bills for those participating in the PACE program.
THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE COMMISSION, THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 2:22 P.M.
ATTEST: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
LEVY COUNTY, FL
________________________________________ ________________________________________
Clerk of Court, Danny J. Shipp Chairman, John Meeks