REGULAR MEETING
LEVY COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
MARCH 17, 2015
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Levy County Commissioners was held on March 17, 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
Also present were:
Clerk of Court – Danny J. Shipp
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 led by Comm. Stevens.
EXPENDITURES
Comm. Stevens made a motion to approve the following expenditures presented for payment. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
| CHECK NUMBER | 119031-119196 |
| FUND | AMOUNT |
| GENERAL REVENUE | 113,443.78 |
| ROAD | 134,677.91 |
| SHIP | 15,000.00 |
| PAL LIBRARY | 21,090.45 |
| TRANSPORTATION | 36,535.69 |
| COURT FACILITIES | 22.00 |
| PROGRESS ENERGY | 478.36 |
| EMS | 18,637.42 |
| FIRE | 7,773.96 |
| TOURIST DEVELOPMENT | 1,615.47 |
| UTILITIES | 1,643.30 |
| ADD COURT COSTS | 607.26 |
| LANDFILL | 73,521.50 |
| TOTAL | $ 425,047.10 |
MINUTES
The minutes for the Regular Board meeting held on February 17, 2015 were presented for Board approval.
Comm. Rock Meeks made a motion to approve the minutes for the Regular Board meeting held on February 17, 2015 as presented. Second was made by Comm. Stevens and the MOTION CARRIES.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mrs. Gaither spoke to the Board regarding the Care for Retired Law Enforcement K-9’s Bill, HB 711-SB 1016. This bill will give law enforcement police K-9’s veterinary benefits in retirement.
PUBLIC HEARING
DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
Atty. Brown administered swearing in procedures to the audience.
Comm. John Meeks asked if any of the Board members had any ex-parte communication with any of the petitioners. Comm. Rock Meeks stated he had ex-parte communication with the two (2) petitioners for Hardship Variances.
Bill Hammond, Director
- Hardship Variance 01-15: Gail Raven petitioning the Board for a Hardship Variance to allow a second dwelling in order to care for her mother.
Mr. Hammond requested Board approval of Hardship Variance 01-15 for petitioner Gail Raven to allow a second dwelling in order to care for her mother.
Comm. John Meeks asked if there was anyone in the audience wishing to speak for or against the Hardship Variance as presented. There were none.
Comm. Rock Meeks made a motion to approve Hardship Variance 01-15 as presented. Second was made by Comm. Rooks and the MOTION CARRIES.
- Hardship Variance 02-15: Timothy Pederson, petitioning the Board for a Hardship Variance to allow a second dwelling in order to care for his parents.
Mr. Hammond requested Board approval of Hardship Variance 02-15 for petitioner Timothy Pedersen, to allow a second dwelling in order to care for his parents.
Comm. John Meeks asked if there was anyone in the audience wishing to speak for or against the Hardship Variance as presented. There were none.
Comm. Rock Meeks made a motion to approve Hardship Variance 02-15 as presented. Second was made by Comm. Rooks and the MOTION CARRIES.
- Final Plat 01-15: Steve McMillen of McSurveying representing Jessica Maass-Hudson, petitioning the Board for a Final Plat of “Flint Rock Estates” a residential subdivision consisting of one 12 acre lot.
Mr. Hammond requested Board approval of Final Plat 01-15: Steve McMillen of McSurveying representing Jessica Maass-Hudson, petitioning the Board for a Final Plat of “Flint Rock Estates” a residential subdivision consisting of one 12 acre lot.
Comm. John Meeks asked if there was anyone in the audience wishing to speak for or against the Hardship Variance as presented. There were none.
Comm. Stevens made a motion to approve Final Plat 01-15 as presented. Second was made by Comm. Rooks and the MOTION CARRIES.
Toni Collins asked what the filing fee is for a Hardship Variance.
Mr. Hammond answered the filing fee for a Hardship Variance is $150.
NATURE COAST BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
David Pieklik, Executive Director
Progress Report for February-March, 2015.
Mr. Pieklik gave a Progress Report for February-March to the Board and provided project updates.
LEVY COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Mike West, 911 Addressing
Request approval and signature on the Rural County Grant application for E911 System Maintenance 2015-2016.
Mr. West requested Board approval and the Chairman’s signature on the Rural County Grant application in the amount of $42,959.48. This Rural County Grant will cover yearly costs on the PSAP equipment and software and no matching funds are required.
Comm. Rooks made a motion to approve with the Chairman’s signature, the Rural County Grant application for E911 System Maintenance as requested. Second was made by Comm. Stevens and the MOTION CARRIES.
LYNN E. SLAUGHTER
- Request to consider having a Civilian Board to review Sheriff’s Office.
Ms. Slaughter spoke to the Board and requested they consider having a Civilian Board review the Sheriff’s Office and provided information for them to review concerning issues she has with the Sheriff’s Department. Ms. Slaughter requested the Board review the information so she may come back at the next meeting and discuss it further.
- Request Road Department to pave King Ranchettes.
Ms. Slaughter requested the Board allow the Road Department to use the road paving equipment which is currently near King Ranchettes to pave a road within the subdivision.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
COUNTY COORDINATOR
Fred Moody
- Announce Suwannee River Water Management District award of the Local Government RIVER Cost-Share Program.
Mr. Moody announced the Suwannee River Water Management District award of the Local Government RIVER Cost-Share Program for the University Oaks Water System Improvement project. The total project cost will be $156,390 of which the District will pay $151,390 leaving $5,000 as the cost share amount for Levy County to pay.
- Discuss and direction for a proposed Water Conservation Ordinance.
Mr. Moody requested direction for a proposed Water Conservation Ordinance which had been drafted by Atty. Brown as required by the Suwannee River Water Management District in order to receive the Local Government RIVER Cost-Share Program funding.
Atty. Brown addressed points within the Ordinance to the Board.
The Board directed Mr. Moody to contact Steven Minnis regarding a date in which he could attend a Workshop to discuss this matter.
CORRESPONDENCE
Satori Days
- On behalf of the Levy County Transportation Disadvantaged Local Coordinating Board, request approval to appoint Barney Cannon, Jr. to serve as a representative in the 60+ Category. -TABLED –
- Request approval to adopt Proclamation 2015-10 recognizing April, 2015 as “Water Conservation Month”.
Ms. Days requested Board approval of Proclamation 2015-10 recognizing April, 2015 as “Water Conservation Month”.
Comm. Rooks made a motion to adopt Proclamation 2015-10 as presented. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
- On Behalf of the Yankeetown-Inglis Woman’s Club, request approval to adopt Proclamation 2015-07 recognizing the Yankeetown-Inglis Woman’s Club 50th Jubilee on March 29, 2015.
Ms. Days requested on behalf of the Yankeetown-Inglis Woman’s Club, Board approval to adopt Proclamation 2015-07 recognizing the Yankeetown-Inglis Woman’s Club 50th Jubilee on March 29, 2015.
Comm. Rooks made a motion to adopt Proclamation 2015-07 as requested. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
Lynn Tate stated there will be an open house on March 29th from 1:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. and it is open to the public.
DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
Bill Hammond, Director
Flood Insurance Rate Map update.
Mr. Hammond spoke to the Board regarding the Flood Insurance Rate Map update.
PUBLIC SAFETY
David Knowles, Director
- Request approval and authorization for Mr. Moody to sign any necessary forms for the Department to participate in the Florida Fire Chief’s Association Cadet Program.
Chief Knowles requested Board authorization for Mr. Moody to sign any necessary forms for the Department to participate in the Florida Fire Chief’s Association Cadet Program. The Cadet Program will promote youth involvement in our community and assist with recruitment of local individuals.
Comm. Rock Meeks made a motion to authorize Mr. Moody to sign any necessary forms for the Department to participate in the Florida Fire Chief’s Association Cadet Program as requested. Second was made by Comm. Stevens and the MOTION CARRIES.
- Request approval for the Fiscal Year 2014-2015 first quarter write-off’s.
Chief Knowles requested Board approval for the Fiscal Year 2014-2015 first quarter write-off’s in the amount of $305,185.45.
Comm. Stevens made a motion to approve the Fiscal Year 2014-2015 first quarter write-off’s as requested. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES. Comm. Rooks votes NO.
- Quarterly Report presentation.
Chief Knowles presented the Quarterly Report for the Department of Public Safety to the Board.
Comm. Rooks requested Chief Knowles to show the response times for each individual station as well as the cost of repairs.
Chief Knowles stated he would provide this information in the next Quarterly Report.
COUNTY ATTORNEY
Anne Bast Brown
Discuss and direction regarding Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission consideration of changes to Captive Wildlife Rules.
Atty. Brown discussed and requested direction from the Board regarding the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission’s consideration of changes to Captive Wildlife Rules.
Comm. Rooks stated she would like to know the work which had been done in the past regarding the Captive Wildlife Rules would stay in effect.
Comm. John Meeks stated the next meeting on Captive Wildlife Rule review will be on March 30th at the Ocala Hilton from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mr. Gaither thanked Comm. Stevens for attending his birthday party held over the weekend.
COMMISSIONER’S REPORTS
Mr. Moody recognized Chris Sajak, Government Affairs Program Manager for the Southwest Florida Water Management District. Mr. Sajak spoke to the Board stating he has been in contact with Steve Minnis regarding adoption of a Resolution for Levy county to follow one set of rules as Levy county is divided between two water management districts.
Comm. Stevens asked if the Board wished to write a letter in support of the WRPC.
Comm. John Meeks stated he will be attending a meeting this Thursday of the WRPC in order to gain an understanding of what is going on with the possibility of it being dissolving as Levy County greatly benefits from the work of the Commission.
Comm. Stevens stated he would like to also attend this meeting to find out what they are planning to do before sending a letter.
Comm. Rock Meeks stated the Suwannee River Fair is going on at this time and invited anyone interested to attend the sale on Wednesday.
There will be youth baseball games taking place on Saturday in Chiefland at Strickland Park for anyone interested.
Comm. Rooks reported the pet adoption event held Saturday in Chiefland was a success. Comm. Rooks stated the surgery room at Animal Services is almost completed.
Comm. John Meeks reported of Tourism Day he had attended with Carol McQueen in Tallahassee recently.
Toni Collins asked of the status of Pure Water Wilderness.
Comm. John Meeks stated Pure Water Wilderness is still moving forward.
Ron Grant invited the Commissioners to attend the next meeting of the LAPC meeting to be held at the WRPC building on April 15th at 10:00 A.M. in Ocala.
Comm. John Meeks commended the Parks Department as he had recently attended a family reunion at Blue Springs Park and reported the Parks in Levy County will be open for swimming beginning April 1st.
Comm. John Meeks stated he will be attending the Gulf Consortium meeting on the 25th.
Comm. John Meeks reported of the Civil War re-inactment held at Kirby Farms over the past weekend. He encouraged anyone who had not had a chance to visit Kirby Farms to do so.
NON-AGENDA ITEM
Comm. John Meeks requested the Board consider hearing a non-agenda item.
Comm. Stevens made a motion to hear a non-agenda item. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
Comm. John Meeks requested the Board approve appointing Tisha Whitehurst, Grants Coordinator as the alternate representative to the Gulf Coast Consortium in place of Mr. Moody.
Comm. Stevens made a motion to approve the position of Grants Coordinator as the alternate representative for Levy county to the Gulf Coast Consortium as requested. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
The meeting recessed at 10:46 A.M.
The meeting reconvened at 10:57 A.M.
TAX ORDINANCE WORKSHOP
David Pieklik spoke to the Board giving a tax exemption follow up. He thanked Ms. Neely and Frank Rose for their help in compiling the information which was provided to the Board.
Sheila Watson, City Clerk with the City of Fanning Springs spoke regarding Fanning Springs being situated between two counties. She asked if Mr. Pieklik would be willing to come to a City Council meeting to answer questions. Mr. Pieklik stated he would be glad to attend.
Shenley Neely and Atty. Brown spoke.
After discussion, Atty. Brown stated she had enough information to prepare a final version of the Ordinance.
The Board agreed to hold a Public Hearing at 1:00 P.M. after the next regular meeting on April 7th.
Reminder: RESTORE Act Meeting Tuesday, March 17, 2015 at 3:00 P.M. at the Levy County Courthouse in Commissioners Meeting Room.
THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE COMMISSION, THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 11:26 A.M.
ATTEST: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
LEVY COUNTY, FL
________________________________________ ________________________________________
Clerk of Court, Danny J. Shipp Chairman, John Meeks