REGULAR MEETING
LEVY COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
NOVEMBER 4, 2014
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Levy County Commissioners was held on November 4, 2014 at 9:00 A.M. at the Bronson Hilltop School meeting room with the following Commissioners present:
Chairman Ryan Bell
Comm. John Meeks
Comm. Danny Stevens
Comm. Mike Joyner
Comm. Chad Johnson
Also present were:
County Attorney – Anne Bast Brown
County Administrator – Fred Moody
Comm. Bell called the Meeting to order at 9:00 A.M. Comm. Johnson gave the invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Comm. Meeks.
EXPENDITURES
Comm. Stevens made a motion to approve the following expenditures presented for payment. Second was made by Comm. Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
| CHECK NUMBER |
117618-117773 |
| FUND | AMOUNT |
| GENERAL REVENUE | 1,383,547.26 |
| ROAD | 135,239.22 |
| PAL LIBRARY | 3,785.03 |
| TRANSPORTATION | 248.11 |
| 911 | 11,845.25 |
| COURT FACILITIES | 6.00 |
| PROGRESS ENERGY | 7,620.51 |
| EMS | 58,258.22 |
| FIRE | 71,011.00 |
| TOURIST DEVELOPMENT | 11,434.82 |
| UTILITIES | 152.69 |
| DRUG TASK FORCE | 381.77 |
| CAPITAL PROJECTS | 34,775.80 |
| LANDFILL | 17,082.34 |
| TOTAL | $ 1,735,388.02 |
MINUTES
The minutes for the Special Board Meeting held on September 30, 2014 were presented for Board approval.
Comm. Johnson made a motion to approve the minutes for the Special Board Meeting held on September 30, 2014 as presented. Second was made by Comm. Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
LEVY COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Sheriff Robert McCallum
Request approval of the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant for 2015 in the amount of $46,990.00.
Sheriff McCallum requested Board acceptance of the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant for 2015 in the amount of $46,990 for a project entitled Levy Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force 23.
Comm. Stevens made a motion to accept the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant as presented. Second was made by Comm. Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
Sheriff McCallum also explained to everyone the reason for the unusually large amount of traffic at the Courthouse stating there is a two-week trial beginning this week and Jury selection began on Monday.
HAVEN HOSPICE
Vondla Sullivan, Volunteer Coordinator
Request approval of Proclamation 2014-57 recognizing November, 2014 as National Hospice/Palliative Care Month.
Ms. Sullivan requested Board approval of Proclamation 2014-57 recognizing November, 2014 as National Hospice/Palliative Care month.
Comm. Joyner made a motion to approve Proclamation 2014-57 recognizing November, 2014 as National Hospice/Palliative Care month as requested.
Ms. Sullivan gave an update on the upcoming event, “Fall at the Ranch” stating tickets are still available for $75 each. The event will take place this Saturday at the Etheridge Cracker House in Williston beginning at 5:30 P.M.
Ms. Sullivan also spoke of a Veteran’s event this Friday at Haven Hospice in Chiefland stating it will be attended by Ruvio, Perry and Stone from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. Lunch will be included and there will be music by the Philman Band.
INGLIS RECREATION COMMITTEE
Deb Ball, Chairman
Request road closure to accommodate the annual Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 13, 2014 starting at 4:00 P.M.
Ms. Ball requested Board approval for road closure of HWY 40 W. in Inglis to accommodate the Annual Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 13, 2014. The parade will begin at 4:00 P.M.
Comm. Joyner made a motion to approve road closure for the Annual Christmas Parade in Inglis as requested. Second was made by Comm. Stevens and the MOTION CARRIES.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
COUNTY COORDINATOR
Fred Moody
- Request Board direction on our continued participation with North Florida Economic Development Partnership, membership dues of $4,033.90.
Mr. Moody requested Board direction regarding continued participation with the North Florida Economic Development Partnership. The dues are now calculated at a rate of $.10 per capita instead of the previous rate of $.05 per capita making the current year’s amount due $4,033.90.
Comm. Johnson made a motion to approve continued participation with North Florida Economic Development Partnership as presented. Second was made by Comm. Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
- Request approval to purchase (3) vehicles from Chiefland Ford.
Mr. Moody requested Board approval for the purchase of (3) vehicles. They will be for the Planning Department, Code Enforcement, and Building & Zoning. The bids received are as follows:
Chiefland Ford $19,866 each (Ford Escape)
Scoggins Chevrolet $20,769 each (Chevrolet Equinox)
Mr. Moody recommended making the purchase from Chiefland Ford, the lowest bid.
Comm. Stevens made a motion to approve the purchase of three (3) vehicles from Chiefland Ford as requested. Second was made by Comm. Joyner and the MOTION CARRIES.
- Request appointment for interim Chair for November 19, 2014 Board meeting.
Mr. Moody requested the Board appoint an interim Chairman for the November 19, 2014 Board meeting.
Comm. Bell passed the gavel to Vice Chairman Johnson and made a motion to appoint Comm. Meeks as the interim Chairman for the November 19, 2014 meeting as well as through the end of the calendar year.
Mr. Moody recommended a Vice Chairman be appointed with the Chairman if appointing for the remainder of the year.
Comm. Bell amended his motion to add the appointment of Comm. Stevens as Vice Chairman through the end of the calendar year. Second was made by Comm. Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES. Comm. Stevens votes NO.
Vice Chairman Johnson returns the gavel back to Chairman Bell to continue the remainder of the meeting.
LEVY COUNTY TRANSIT
Connie Conley, General Manager
Request Board approval for Amendment #9 for Medicaid NET to extend services until February 28, 2015.
Mr. Moody requested on behalf of Ms. Conley Board approval for Amendment #9 for Medicaid NET (Non-Emergency Transport) to extend services until February 28, 2015.
Comm. Johnson made a motion to approve Amendment #9 for Medicaid NET extending services until February 28, 2015 as requested. Second was made by Comm. Stevens and the MOTION CARRIES.
PUBLIC SAFETY
David Knowles, Director
- Request Board approval to purchase three (3) radio dispatch consoles from ICOM America.
Chief Knowles requested Board approval to purchase three (3) radio dispatch consoles from ICOM America in the amount of $70,527.73.
Comm. Joyner made a motion to approve the purchase of three (3) radio dispatch consoles from ICOM America as requested. Second was made by Comm. Stevens and the MOTION CARRIES.
- Request approval to purchase pagers under the Florida Forest Service Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant guidelines.
Chief Knowles requested Board approval for the purchase of pagers from Ashtin Communications in the amount of $7,381.75 under the Florida Forest Service Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant guidelines as they had received approval from the Florida Forest Service for the 50/50 grant submitted in January, 2014. The 50% will be reimbursed to the Board after purchase is made.
Comm. Meeks made a motion to approve the purchase of pagers under the Florida Forest Service Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant as requested. Second was made by Comm. Stevens and the MOTION CARRIES.
- Request approval to purchase one (1) replacement supervisor vehicle; one (1) rescue body from Emergency Vehicles, Inc. in Lake Park, FL; and one (1) 2015 Dodge 400 4×4 chassis from Auto Nation.
Chief Knowles requested Board approval to purchase one (1) replacement supervisor vehicle; one (1) rescue body from Emergency Vehicles, Inc. in the amount of $84,936 and one (1) 2015 Dodge 4500 4×4 chassis from Auto Nation in the amount of $38,676. Chief Knowles explained Auto Nation will ship the chassis to the vehicles manufacturer, EVI in Lake Park, FL. The bids received are as follows:
Rescue Unit (box) only 2015 Dodge 4500 4×4 Chassis
Spartan ERV $89,309 Alan Jay $40,058
Hall-Mark $96,490 Auto Nation $38,676
EVI $84,936 Beck $41,504
Comm. Stevens made a motion to for the purchase of one (1) rescue body from Emergency Vehicles, Inc. and one (1) 2015 Dodge 4500 4×4 chassis from Auto Nation as requested. Second was made by Comm. Joyner and the MOTION CARRIES. Comm. Johnson votes NO.
- Request approval to purchase an enclosed trailer from Southeastern Trailer Distributors.
Chief Knowles requested Board approval to purchase an enclosed trailer from Southeastern Trailer Distributors. The trailer will be used to haul miscellaneous equipment including lawn equipment and the ATR UTV previously approved for purchase. The bids received are as follows:
Southeastern Trailer $4,200
Texas Trailer $5,749
Triple Crown Trailers $4,649
Comm. Stevens made a motion to approve the purchase of an enclosed trailer from Southeastern Trailer Distributors in Ocala, FL as requested. Second was made by Comm. Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
- Request Board approval to expend funds from the EMS Impact Fee Fund.
Chief Knowles requested Board approval to expend funds from the EMS Impact Fee Fund for the construction/remodel of the Morriston Fire Station to house a 24 hour EMS transport crew.
Comm. Meeks made a motion to approve the request to expend funds from the EMS Impact Fee Fund for the construction/remodel of the Morriston Fire Station as requested. Second was made by Comm. Johnson and the MOTION CARRIES.
- Award Presentation.
Chief Knowles presented awards to each of the Commissioners and Mr. Moody from the Department of Public Safety.
COUNTY ATTORNEY
Anne Bast Brown
Request consideration of settlement counter-offer on Second Mortgage for Robert J. Harris, Jr., and if accepted, authorize execution of Satisfaction of Mortgage contingent on receipt of settlement funds.
Atty. Brown requested consideration by the Board of a settlement counter-offer on a Second Mortgage for Robert J. Harris, Jr. in the amount of $800.
Comm. Johnson made a motion to accept the offer of $800 and authorize execution of a Satisfaction of Mortgage as presented. Second was made by Comm. Joyner.
After discussion, Comm. Joyner withdrew his Second.
The motion then dies for lack of a Second.
Comm. Joyner then made a motion to make a counter-offer of $1,000. Second was made by Comm. Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
PUBLIC COMMENT
McQueen reminded everyone of the County Veteran’s Day Parade this weekend in Inglis at 11:00 A.M.
Two-Hawk Hammock will be the location for a mini Circus on Carol November 22nd. There will also be a celebration event in Williston on Veteran’s Day at Heritage Park.
Renate Cannon requested clarification of who will be the interim Chairman and Vice-Chairman.
Comm. Bell explained Comm. Meeks will be the Chairman and Comm. Stevens will be Vice-Chairman until the end of the calendar year.
Comm. Meeks made a presentation of plaques in appreciation to Comm. Johnson and Comm. Bell on behalf of the Commissioners and staff.
C.W. Gilbert spoke with high regards of the outgoing Chairman and Vice-Chairman.
Dana Sheffield also had a positive statement regarding the Chairman and Vice-Chairman.
Mr. Moody stated on November 18th at the next Regular Board Meeting, Judge Browning will swear in the new Commissioners at the beginning of the meeting.
COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS
Comm. Meeks announced the AmVets post in Bronson will be placing flags on the graves of Veterans at Rosemary Cemetery on Veteran’s Day at 11:00 A.M. Comm. Meeks reminded everyone to thank a Vet for their service.
Comm. Stevens thanked Comm. Bell and Comm. Johnson for their service.
Comm. Joyner reminded everyone of the Haven Hospice event to take place this Saturday beginning at 5:30 P.M. at the Etheridge Cracker House in Williston.
Comm. Bell announced the Student Government for Chiefland Middle-High School will be hosting its annual Pie Auction on Thursday, November 20th at 6:00 P.M. at the High School Cafeteria.
NON-AGENDA ITEM
Comm. Bell spoke on the topic of legal advertising by the County in the local newspapers and asked if the Board wished to consider taking action.
Comm. Meeks made a motion to hear a non-agenda item. Second was made by Comm. Stevens and the MOTION CARRIES. Comm. Johnson votes NO.
After discussion, Comm. Bell passed the gavel to Vice-Chairman Johnson and made a motion to offer a contract starting in 2015 for a four (4) year cycle to whomever bids the lowest rate per column inch for all publications and whoever is awarded would get the tax roll printing for the same term. Second was made by Comm. Stevens. The votes were as follows:
YES NO
Comm. Bell Comm. Joyner
Comm. Stevens Comm. Meeks
Comm. Johnson
The MOTION CARRIES.
Vice Chairman Johnson returns the gavel back to Chairman Bell to continue the remainder of the meeting.
Comm. Johnson thanked citizens and those who have helped his growth and development as a Commissioner.
Comm. Bell thanked everyone for his opportunity to serve the citizens of the County.
THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE COMMISSION, THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 10:50 A.M.
ATTEST: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
LEVY COUNTY, FL
___________________________________ ______________________________________
Clerk of Court, Danny J. Shipp Chairman, Ryan Bell