REGULAR MEETING
LEVY COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
JANUARY 6, 2015
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Levy County Commissioners was held on January 6, 2014 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:
Clerk of Court – Danny J. Shipp
County Attorney – Anne Bast Brown
County Administrator – 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 led by Comm. Stevens.
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 | 118240-118429 |
| FUND | AMOUNT |
| GENERAL REVENUE | 2,366,763.48 |
| ROAD | 111,200.22 |
| SHIP | 20,300.00 |
| PAL LIBRARY | 18,641.42 |
| TRANSPORTATION | 1,610.86 |
| 911 | 11,845.25 |
| COURT FACILITIES | 1,188.96 |
| PROGRESS ENERGY | 351.07 |
| EMS | 39,504.22 |
| FIRE | 41,814.64 |
| TOURIST DEVELOPMENT | 1,179.53 |
| CDBG | 2,853.75 |
| UTILITIES | 417.25 |
| DRUG TASK FORCE | 7,156.96 |
| COMMUNICATION | 15,923.34 |
| ADD COURT COSTS | 607.26 |
| IMPACT FEES – EMS | 12,275.00 |
| CAPITAL PROJECTS | 1,475.07 |
| LANDFILL | 4,904.17 |
| TOTAL | $ 2,660,012.45 |
NON-AGENDA ITEM
Comm. John Meeks stated there was a non-agenda item he had been made aware of and asked for a motion for it to be heard.
Comm. Stevens made a motion to hear a non-agenda item. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
Chief Knowles informed the Board of Governor Rick Scott’s decision last week to proclaim the week of January 5-9 as First Responder Week for the State of Florida. Chief Knowles and Sheriff McCallum requested Board approval of Proclamation 2015-04 recognizing the week of January 5-9 as Levy County First Responders Week and read the Proclamation into public record.
Comm. Joyner made a motion to approve Proclamation 2015-04 as requested. Second was made by Comm. Rooks and the MOTION CARRIES.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Juanita Terrell spoke to the Board regarding taxation and equitable distribution.
CLERK OF COURT
Danny Shipp
Request approval to donate Dell computers to Vision Christian Academy.
Mr. Shipp stated he had received a letter from Vision Christian Academy requesting the donation of any surplus computers Levy County may have. In the past, surplus computers have been donated to non-profit organizations and Mr. Shipp requested Board approval to donate surplus computers which the County has to Vision Christian Academy.
Comm. Joyner made a motion to approve the donation of surplus computers to Vision Christian Academy as requested. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
LEVY COUNTY PROPERTY APPRAISER
Osborn Barker
Discussion and direction to speak with the Florida Legislature to increase the $500.00 exemption for the widow/widowers, the blind and non-veteran disability to a $5,000.00 exemption.
Mr. Barker spoke to the Board requesting direction to speak with and encourage the Florida Legislature to increase the $500.00 exemption for the widow/widowers, the blind and non-veteran disability to a $5,000 exemption.
Comm. Stevens made a motion for a letter of support to be sent from the Board to the Property Appraiser’s Association in support of increasing the exemption as explained by Mr. Barker. Second was made by Comm. Joyner and the MOTION CARRIES.
MICHAEL AND KAY GAITHER
Request approval for Proclamation 2015-01 proclaiming the month of January, 2015 in recognition of Honey, “The Wonder Dog” for her services as a medical service dog.
Judge Browning requested on behalf of Michael and Kay Gaither Board approval of Proclamation 2015-01 proclaiming the month of January, 2015 in recognition of Honey “The Wonder Dog” for her services as a medical service dog. Judge Browning then read the Proclamation into public record.
Comm. Rooks made a motion to approve Proclamation 2015-01 as presented. Second was made by Comm. Joyner and the MOTION CARRIES.
TONI C. COLLINS
Request a motion to propose and adopt a county ordinance to enforce the removal of political campaign advertisements.
Mrs. Collins requested action by the Board regarding the adoption of a County Ordinance to enforce the removal of political campaign advertisements.
Bill Hammond, Development Department Director stated there is an Ordinance directing those running for political office when to start placing signs and when to remove them.
Comments were made by Mrs. Gaither, Terry Witt and Sally Collins from the audience.
Mr. Moody stated a memo would be sent from the Board Office to the County Departments requesting employees to pick up any political signs left on the county right-of-ways from elections past while traveling throughout the county and dispose of them at the Landfill.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
COUNTY COORDINATOR
Fred Moody
A.) Request approval for the funding agreement between Levy County and Meridian Behavioral Healthcare, Inc. for 2014-2015.
Mr. Moody requested Board approval for the funding agreement between Levy County and Meridian Behavioral Healthcare, Inc. for 2014-2015 providing its portion of the local match in the amount of $75,000.00 to be released in quarterly payments in the amount of $18,750.00 upon the receipt of an invoice due on the first day of each quarter.
Comm. Joyner made a motion to approve the Agreement between Levy County and Meridian Behavioral Healthcare, Inc. as requested. Second was made by Comm. Rooks and the MOTION CARRIES.
B.) Request approval for Resolution 2015-02 authorizing execution of closing documents by the County Coordinator and authorizing acceptance and directing the recordation of a deed transferring from the Robert B. Bishop Trust and the Ottis and Macey Beauchamp Family Trust, grantors, to Levy County, grantee.
Mr. Moody requested Board approval of Resolution 2015-02 authorizing execution of closing documents by the County Coordinator and authorizing acceptance and directing the recordation of a deed transferring from the Robert B. Bishop Trust and the Ottis and Macey Beauchamp Family Trust, grantors, to Levy County, grantee. The property is to be used for Manatee Utilities.
Comm. Stevens made a motion to approve Resolution 2015-02 as requested. Second was made by Comm. Joyner and the MOTION CARRIES.
C.) Request approval for Resolution 2015-03 for grant assistance for improvements and upgrades to the Levy County Courthouse and deliver a copy of the Resolution to the Office of the Governor and to the Levy County State Legislative Delegation.
Mr. Moody requested Board approval of Resolution 2015-03 for grant assistance for improvements and upgrades to the Levy County Courthouse and to deliver a copy of the Resolution to the Office of the Governor and to the Levy County State Legislative Delegation. The improvements involve bringing the Courthouse into compliance with ADA requirements.
Comm. Stevens made a motion to approve Resolution 2015-03 as requested. Second was made by Comm. Joyner and the MOTION CARRIES.
Comments were made by Renate Cannon and Ron Grant from the audience.
D.) Request permission to amend qualifications for Grants Coordinator position.
Mr. Moody requested Board approval to amend the qualifications for the Grants Coordinator position. The change requested is to add “preferred” to the requirement of graduation from an accredited four-year (4) college or university with a degree in public relations, political science, business or related field, and to then re-open the process for another five (5) to ten (10) business days.
Comm. Joyner made a motion to amend the qualification change for the Grants Coordinator position as requested. Second was made by Comm. Stevens and the MOTION CARRIES. Comm. Rooks votes NO.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Mark S. Johnson, Director
A.)Request approval for the State Homeland Security Grant Program Agreement.
Mr. Johnson requested Board approval for the State Homeland Grant Program Agreement stating the award amount for this Grant is $12,308 and is non-matching.
Comm. Stevens made a motion to approve the State Homeland Grant Program Agreement as requested. Second was made by Comm. Joyner and the MOTION CARRIES.
B.) Request approval for the Community Emergency Response Team Agreement.
Mr. Johnson requested Board approval for the Community Emergency Response Team Agreement in the amount of $5,474.
Comm. Joyner made a motion to approve the Community Emergency Response Team Agreement as requested. Second was made by Comm. Rooks and the MOTION CARRIES.
PARKS & RECREATION
Matt Weldon, Director
Request approval to accept the two lowest bids for one Mosquito Control truck and one Parks and Recreation truck.
Mr. Weldon requested Board approval of the two (2) lowest bids for one (1) Mosquito Control truck and one (1) Parks and Recreation truck. The bids received are listed below:
Truck #1/Mosquito Control Scoggins Chevrolet Chiefland Ford
$23,938.21 $22,628
Truck #2/Parks and Recreation Scoggins Chevrolet Chiefland Ford
$31,861.61 $29,276
Comm. Joyner made a motion to approve the purchase of a truck for Mosquito control from Chiefland Ford in the amount of 22,628 and a truck for Parks and Recreation in the amount of $29,276 also from Chiefland Ford, the lowest bids as requested. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
PLANNING
Shenley Neely, Planning Director
Request approval of a Deferred Payment Loan Agreement for Tamicka Wallace, PA #526 for an existing unit in Williston, FL.
Ms. Neeley requested Board approval for a Deferred Payment Loan Agreement for Tamicka Wallace, PA #26 for an existing unit in Williston, Florida in the amount of 20,000.
Comm. Stevens made a motion to approve the Deferred Payment Loan Agreement for Tamicka Wallace as requested. Second was made by Comm. Rooks and the MOTION CARRIES.
PUBLIC SAFETY
David Knowles, Director
A.) Request approval and chairman’s signature for a licensing agreement with EMS Technology Solutions, LLC for Operative IQ Management Software.
Chief Knowles requested Board approval and Chairman’s signature for a licensing agreement with EMS Technology Solutions, LLC for Operative IQ Management Software. This program will provide accountability for all inventory including consumable medications, large assets and departmental assets.
Comm. Joyner made a motion to approve the licensing agreement with EMS Technology Solutions, LLC with the Chairman’s signature as requested. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
B.) Request approval of fiscal year 2013-2014 fourth quarter write-off’s.
Chief Knowles requested Board approval of fiscal year 2013-2014 fourth quarter write-off’s in the amount of $250,608.20.
Comm. Stevens made a motion to approve the fiscal year 2013-2014 fourth quarter write-off’s as presented. Second was made by Comm. Joyner and the MOTION CARRIES.
COUNTY ATTORNEY
Anne Bast Brown
Request to ratify the bid documents for Legal and Official Advertising for Levy County and direct staff to continue with bid process outlined in the bid documents.
Atty. Brown requested ratification by the Board for bid documents for Legal and Official Advertising for Levy County and direct staff to continue with the bid process outlined in the bid documents. Atty. Brown stated the Tax Deed Notices were included in the bid documents.
Steve Scott representing the Levy County Journal spoke to the Board.
Comm. Stevens made a motion to ratify the bid documents for legal and official advertising for Levy County and to direct staff to continue with the bid process outlined in the bid documents. Second was made by Comm. Joyner and the MOTION CARRIES. The votes were as follows:
Yes No
Comm. Stevens Comm. Rooks
Comm. Joyner Comm. Rock Meeks
Comm. John Meeks
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Barbara Snow spoke to the Board regarding a bill which will be filed soon providing an amount toward veterinary care for police and law enforcement k-9’s in retirement and hoped the Board would be in support of this bill once passed.
Mr. Moody advised Ms. Snow how to go about speaking at the next Legislative Delegation meeting coming up next week.
COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS
Comm. John Meeks stated per an e-mail he had received, the attorney for the Florida Wildlife Commission is reviewing the Grant Agreement for the repair of the Waccasassa Bay channel markers.
Comm. John Meeks stated the next Legislative Delegation meeting will be on Wednesday, January 14th at 9:30 A.M. in Bronson at the Dogan Cobb Municipal Building.
Comm. John Meeks asked if any of the Commissioners wished to speak regarding the election of Board appointments and Department Committees for 2015 as they had been assigned.
Comm. Joyner made a motion to approve the appointment of Commissioners as assigned. Second was made by Comm. Rooks and the MOTION CARRIES.
THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE COMMISSION, THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 10:35 A.M.
ATTEST: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
LEVY COUNTY, FL
___________________________________ ______________________________________
Clerk of Court, Danny J. Shipp Chairman, John Meeks