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BOCC Regular Meeting March 21, 2017

REGULAR MEETING

LEVY COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

MARCH 21, 2017

The Regular Meeting of the Board of Levy County Commissioners was held on March 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 9:02 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. Joyner and the MOTION CARRIES.

 

CHECK NUMBER 126793-126922
FUND        AMOUNT
GENERAL REVENUE 80,308.86
ROAD 121,509.48
MOSQUITO CONTROL 228.95
TRANSPORTATION 16,416.94
COURT FACILITIES 15.00
EMS 25,971.09
FIRE 65,322.93
TOURIST DEVELOPMENT 6,785.20
UTILITIES 414.98
ADD COURT COSTS 669.50
IMPACT FEES – PARKS 1,559.50
IMPACT FEES – RD DIST II 456,279.50
LANDFILL 82,579.81
TOTAL   $    858,061.74

 

MINUTES

The minutes for the Regular Board meeting held on January 17, 2017 were presented for Board approval.

Comm. Brooks made a motion to approve the minutes from the Regular Board meeting held on January 17, 2017 as presented.  Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

Amanda Henderson, President of the Levy County Fair announced the Levy County Fair will begin on Thursday, March 30th with the opening ceremony at 6:00 P.M.  The Fair will run through April 2nd.  Ms. Henderson provided the Commissioners and elected officials with invitations to the Fair.

 

CITY OF CEDAR KEY

Heath Davis, Mayor requested approval from the Board and signature of the Chairman on a letter supporting the City of Cedar Key’s Annex onto County owned property.  The City of Cedar Key would like to have this brought to the citizens for a vote.  Mayor Davis stated the City of Cedar Key would like for the incorporated area to be more clearly defined.

Comm. Rooks expresses concerns of the Board of County Commissioners taking a position on City business and questioned how this would affect the City in the future with another CRA.

Mayor Davis stated the support of the annexation by the Board would not have an effect of the CRA within the City lines.

Comm. John Meeks questioned a portion of the report of the annexation which states there will be no guarantee the City provided fire services will continue if the annexation does not occur.

Mayor Davis assured the Commissioners he would never tell the Fire Department not to go outside the annexed area to provide Fire service to the citizens.

 

After discussion, Comm. Joyner made a motion to approve the Chairman’s signature on a letter of consent for the City of Cedar Key to seek annexation of county owned property as requested.  Second was made by Comm. Brooks and the MOTION CARRIES.  Comm. Rooks votes NO.

 

Members of the audience commenting on this item were:  Dana Sheffield and Jeff Hardison.

 

LEVY COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

  • Mike West, 911 Addressing requested signature of the Chairman on the Rural County Grant Application for GIS Refresh & Improvement. West stated this will update their current GIS files, correct discrepancies and synchronize data to improve accuracy and response time.  No matching funds are required.
  • Mr. West requested signature of the Chairman on the Rural County Grant Application for E911 System Maintenance, 2017-2018. Mr. West stated this Grant will cover yearly costs on the PSAP equipment and software.  No matching funds are required.

Comm. Rooks made a motion to approve items A and B as presented.  Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.

 

CHAD MUNN

Mr. Munn requested improvements of the roads in Cedar Key Plantation.

The Commissioners stated there are many other residents on county maintained roads which are on a waiting list for paving or upgrades.  The roads in Cedar Key Plantation have not been dedicated to the county and are not part of the County’s road maintenance system.

 

NON-AGENDA ITEM

Comm. Rock Meeks made a motion to hear a non-agenda item as requested by Comm. John Meeks.  Second was made by Comm. Joyner and the MOTION CARRIES.

Wilbur Dean presented the Board with a check in the amount of $34,304.28 from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for distribution of the Goethe State Forest receipts for fiscal year 2015-2016 in the amount of $34,304.28.

 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

COUNTY COORDINATOR

  • Wilbur Dean requested direction from the Board with moving forward on Gas Tax Ordinance using either Option 1; the ninth cent $193,000 or Options 2; ELM’s on one cent to 5 cents $903,000.

The Commissioners agreed by consensus to move forward with the Gas Tax Ordinance using the option of ELM’s on 5 cents.

Members of the audience who spoke regarding this item were:  Dana Sheffield and Linda Cooper.

  • Mr. Dean requested Board approval of Proclamation 2017-010, Levy County recognizes April, 2017 as “Water Conservation Month”.

Comm. Rooks made a motion to approve Proclamation 2017-010 as presented.  Second was made by Comm. Joyner and the MOTION CARRIES.

  • Mr. Dean informed the Board of the letter received from the City of Chiefland regarding voluntary annexation.
  • Mr. Dean requested Board approval of the Agreement between Levy County and Nabors, Giblin & Nickerson for 2017-2018 Annual Assessments preparations.

Comm. Rooks made a motion to approve the Agreement between Levy County and Nabors, Giblin & Nickerson for the 2017-2018 Annual Assessments preparations as requested.  Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.

 

ANIMAL SERVICES

David Weatherford, Director requested Board approval for the purchase of a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 in the amount of $31,387.25 by utilizing the Florida Sheriff’s Association bid.  This would replace the truck he drives which has over 300,000 miles on it and is 12 years old.

Comm. Rooks made a motion to approve the purchase of a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 including the budget amendment as requested.  Second was made by Comm. Joyner and the MOTION CARRIES.  Comm. Rock Meeks voted NO.

Questions were asked by Linda Cooper concerning the storage of donated animal food which were answered by Mr. Weatherford.

 

LIBRARY

Jeanine Turner requested Board approval to appoint Jim Pasteraro to the PAL Governing Board.

Comm. Rooks made a motion to appoint Jim Pasteraro to the PAL Governing Board as requested.  Second was made by Comm. Joyner and the MOTION CARRIES.

 

TRANSIT

  • Connie Conley, Director requested Board approval of the revised Grant application for 2016 from two (2) busses to three (3). This is a 5339 Grant to be reimbursed at 100%.

Comm. Rock Meeks made a motion to approve the revised Grant application as requested.  Second was made by Comm. Brooks and the MOTION CARRIES.

  • Mrs. Conley requested Board approval for the update to the Levy County Transit Substance Abuse Policy, Zero Tolerance. Changes include footer and Board Chairman but there were no changes to the policy itself.

Comm. Rooks made a motion to approve the update to the Levy County Transit Substance Abuse Policy, Zero Tolerance as requested.  Second was made by Comm. Brooks and the MOTION CARRIES.

 

PARKS AND RECREATION

  • Matt Weldon, Director requested ratification of the Agreement with Florida Department of Health pertaining to Zika funding. This agreement has enable the department to invoice for Vector control and education measures due to the outbreak of the Zika virus.  To date, $31,000 has been received with an expected $1,500 for recently invoiced education fees.
  • Mr. Weldon requested Board approval of Resolution 2017-007 for final budget/fiscal year 2016-17 due to additional revenue from the Florida Department of Health in the amount of $32,500.

Comm. Rooks made a motion to approve ratification of the Agreement with Florida Department of Health and approval of Resolution 2017-007 as requested.  Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.

 

ROAD DEPARTMENT

Alice LaLonde, Office Manager requested Board approval to present quotes for bulldozer repair/parts.  The two (2) quotes received from Ring Power total $34,507.42.

Comm. Rooks made a motion to approve the repairs to the bulldozer as presented.  Second was made by Comm. Joyner and the MOTION CARRIES.

 

COUNTY ATTORNEY

Anne Bast Brown

11:00 A.M. Executive Session. – CANCELLED –

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Dana Sheffield spoke of the gas tax item concerning additional funding for the Road Department.  He questioned if this additional amount could be used for all departments.  Linda Cooper also spoke regarding the gas tax item.

There will be a water ski show in Fanning Springs on April 8th at 4:00 P.M.  Admission to the State Park will be free for that afternoon.  There will be a movie shown at the Park later that evening.

The following weekend is the Cross City Airport event from 10:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.

Sallie Ann Collins spoke of the I-75 expansion project.

Sheriff McCallum spoke to the Board of the large number of recent drug arrests made in Levy County which resulted from a lengthy investigation.

 

COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS

Comm. Rooks expressed thanks to the Road Department for their quick and efficient work done on Dock Street.

Comm. Rooks spoke to the Board of a call from a citizen regarding dividing their land and issues they are now encountering in trying to get permits to build.

After discussion, Mr. Dean was directed to speak with Bill Hammond, Building and Zoning Director to schedule a Workshop to discuss and situations similar to this in an effort to come to a solution.

Comm. Rooks made a motion to approve the Chairman to sign a letter to the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners thanking them for their recent donations to the Cedar Key Library.  Second was made by Comm. Joyner and the MOTION CARRIES.

Comm. Brooks reported of his attendance of a REDI Executive meeting which was held in Williston recently. (Rural Economic Development Initiative).

Comm. Brooks stated this Saturday will be the first “Team Up to Clean Up” initiative he has begun to get communities in his district involved in cleaning up the area roadways.  They will meet up at the Williston City Hall at 2:00 P.M. before heading out to a pre-determined area.

Comm. Rock Meeks stated the CAAA Baseball Bash will be this weekend.

Comm. Rock Meeks reminded everyone the Suwannee River Fair Livestock Show and Sale will conduct its sale tomorrow and invited everyone to support the youth of the Tri-County area.

Comm. John Meeks congratulated Lee Williams for his new position as the County Procurement Director.

Comm. John Meeks announced the opening ceremonies for the Bronson Youth League will be this Saturday at 10:00 A.M. at the James H. Cobb Park.

Comm. John Meeks stated the offer made by Mr. Hardison for the link for the public to access the Delinquent Tax List through HardisonInk had been accepted.

Comm. John Meeks provided Legislative updates and spoke of HB 9 reporting it had passed.  This is the House Bill which eliminates Enterprise Florida as well many other incentive programs for tourism based industry in Florida.  The budget for Visit Florida was also drastically cut.

 

THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE COMMISSION, THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 11:52 A.M.

 

ATTEST:                                                                                    BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

LEVY COUNTY, FL

________________________________________                    ________________________________________

Clerk of Court, Danny J. Shipp                                                  Chairman, John Meeks

BOCC Regular Meeting March 7, 2017

REGULAR MEETING

LEVY COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

MARCH 7, 2017

The Regular Meeting of the Board of Levy County Commissioners was held on March 7, 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 9:00 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. Joyner and the MOTION CARRIES.

 

CHECK NUMBER 126654-126792
FUND        AMOUNT
GENERAL REVENUE 1,501,555.91
ROAD 50,733.28
SHIP 18,972.00
MOSQUITO CONTROL 4,850.00
COURT TECH/CRIM PREV 8,423.61
TRANSPORTATION 882.01
911 13,563.83
COURT FACILITIES 48.00
EMS 19,466.70
FIRE 2,248.94
TOURIST DEVELOPMENT 2,015.29
UTILITIES 659.53
ADD COURT COSTS 1,687.37
CAPITAL PROJECTS 60.00
LANDFILL 5,573.71
TOTAL  $  1,630,740.18
EFT PAYMENT  $       14,720.75


MINUTES

 

The minutes for the Regular Board meetings held on December 20, 2016 and January 3, 2017 were presented for Board approval.

Comm. Joyner made a motion to approve the minutes for the Regular Board meeting held on December 20, 2016 as presented.  Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.

Comm. Joyner made a motion to approve the minutes for the Regular Board meeting held on January 3, 2017 as presented.  Second was made by Comm. Brooks and the MOTION CARRIES.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

Sallie Ann Collins spoke of Mr. and Mrs. Gaither and the health issues with their service dog, Miss Honey.

 

COUNTY COORDINATOR

Wilbur Dean requested Board approval and signature of the Chairman for the letter of support for the distribution of funds by the JAGS grant for the following projects within Levy County:

 

City of Williston, Police Dept.          PD Equipment Grant              $13,697

City of Chiefland, Police Dept.          PD Equipment Grant              $10,000

City of Cedar Key, Police Dept.         PD Equipment Grant              $10,000

 

Comm. Rooks made a motion to approve the signature of the Chairman on the letter of support as presented.  Second was made by Comm. Brooks and the MOTION CARRIES.

 

SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS

Tammy Jones requested the Chairman’s signature for matching funds for the Federal Election Activities Grant.  (HAVA-Help America Vote Act Funds) The matching money has already been approved in this current budget and is available for use.  The Federal Election Activities Funds are used for voter education and poll worker training.  The State provides $6,371.50 if the county matches 15%, which is $955.72.

Comm. Rock Meeks made a motion to approve the Chairman’s signature on the Federal Election Activities Grant as requested.  Second was made by Comm. Joyner and the MOTION CARRIES.

 

NATURE COAST BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

David Pieklik

Presentation of regular activities and accomplishments reports from January – March, 2017.

Members of the audience who spoke were:  Drinda Merritt and Toni Collins.

 

HARDISONINK.COM

Jeff M. Hardison, Owner

Sunny Baynard, Attorney representing Mr. Hardison spoke to the Board regarding a request Mr. Hardison had previously made on the February 21, 2017 meeting regarding advertising of the Levy County Delinquent Tax Notices.

Questions were asked by audience member, Linda Cooper and answers were given by Atty. Brown.

Comm. Rooks made a motion to Table this item to allow Atty. Brown time to review the request made by Atty. Baynard.  Second was made by Comm. Joyner and the MOTION CARRIES.

 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

COUNTY COORDINATOR

Wilbur Dean

  • Mr. Dean Requested Board approval and Chairman’s signature on a letter approving Levy County Solid Waste to waive dumping fees for Cedar Key Trash Tour which will be held on March 25, 2017.

Comm. Rooks made a motion to approve the Chairman’s signature on the letter waiving dumping fees for the Cedar Key Trash Tour as requested.  Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.

  • Mr. Dean requested Board approval and signature of Resolution 2017-008 requesting the protection of the historical Suwannee River in North Florida.

Comments were made by audience member, Toni Collins.

Comm. Joyner made a motion to approve Resolution 2017-008 as presented.  Second was made by Comm. Brooks and the MOTION CARRIES.

  • Mr. Dean requested direction from the Board concerning agriculture hook-ups with 911 Addressing. Mr. Dean stated Duke Energy requires a 911 Address and Central Florida Electric Coop. does not as they use a different tracking system for their electric hook-ups.

After Discussion, it was agreed to have Mr. Dean communicate with CFEC in an effort to ensure there are 911 addresses for each electrical hook-up.

  • Mr. Dean requested Board approval of Resolution 2017-009 opposing House Bill 17.

Comm. John Meeks read the title of the Resolution into public record.

Comm. Rooks made a motion to approve Resolution 2017-009 as presented.  Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.

Comm. Rooks requested Mr. Dean fax a copy of the Resolution to the office of Chris Doolin.

 

PARKS AND RECREATION

Matt Weldon, Director requested Board approval for work performed on Mosquito Control chemical storage tank leak by AAG Environmental in the amount of $4,850.00.

Comm. Joyner made a motion to approve the expenditure for work done on a Mosquito Control chemical storage tank for AAG Environmental as requested.  Second was made by Comm. Rooks and the MOTION CARRIES.

 

SHIP

Shenley Neely, Planning Director requested Board approval of a Deferred Payment Loan Agreement for Andred Gongora Alfara and Brandi Strickland for the purchase of an existing housing unit in the amount of $18,972 in Fanning Springs, Florida.

Comm. Rock Meeks made a motion to approve the Deferred Payment Loan Agreement as requested.  Second was made by Comm. Brooks and the MOTION CARRIES.

 

ROAD DEPARTMENT

  • Alice LaLonde, Office Manager requested Board approval for the yearly Blanket Utility New Buried Service Drops Permit with CenturyLink-Florida.

Comm. Rock Meeks made a motion to approve the yearly Blanket Utility New Buried Service Drops Permit with CenturyLink-Florida as requested.  Second was made by Comm. Brooks and the MOTION CARRIES.

Comm. Joyner commended the Road Department for their completion of the Humpback Bridge re-construction in Yankeetown.

  • Mrs. LaLonde requested the Board conduct a Public Hearing and adopt Resolution 2017-004 approving or denying the petition to vacate, abandon, and close a portion of SE 128th Terrace, located in Morgan Farms, as requested by petitioner, Dawn Piecura.

Members of the audience who spoke regarding the petition were:

For                                                      Against

Dawn Piecura                                     Charles Bataglia         Paul Shaver

Robert Klumsky                                 Robert Jordan             Deanna Donovan

 

Comm. Joyner made a motion to approve Resolution 2017-004 approving the petition to close a portion of SE 128th Terrace as requested.  The motion dies for lack of a second.

  • Request approval of bulldozer repairs. – TABLED –
  • Request permission to contract Passero Associates, LLC to fix the damages to George T. Lewis Airport, Cedar Key, FL from Hurricane Hermine. – TABLED –

 

CLERK OF COURT

Diana Sanchez, Finance Director presented a Budget update to the Board.

Atty. Brown provided information to the Board regarding the implementation of a gas tax which was spoken of by Mr. Blanton.

Connie Conley reported to the Board of some 5311 reimbursement Grant money which is due to the Transit Department from the State which should eliminate the deficit in this department.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

Dawn Piecura asked what the Board was planning to do about the trash and condition of the road in which the closure was no approved earlier.

Comm. Rooks asked Casey Duquette to have this road included in the schedule of road clean-up done by the Inmate Crew managed by Ms. Jenkins at the Road Department.

Sallie Ann Collins reported the construction of a road in Steeple Chase Farms appears to be starting soon as there has been equipment moved to the area.

Atty. Brown informed the Board a new date had been set for an Executive Session which will be on March 21st at 11:00 A.M. in Hearing Room B concerning the American Atheists case.

 

COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS

 

Comm. Rooks called Casey Duquette to the podium to give an update on the Dock Street construction and road closure.  He stated there will be a portion of Dock Street closed to the public for safety reasons for the duration of the construction.

Comm. Rooks stated the Cedar Key Arts Festival is scheduled for April 8th & 9th and the Dock Street construction is expected to be completed before this date.

Comm. Rooks also reported the Cedar Key Library is scheduled to re-opened tomorrow.

Comm. Brooks reported he had attended a Shoreline Visioning Workshop in Cedar Key held by UF IFAS.  Comm. Brooks stated he will be speaking at the Williston Rotary meeting this Thursday and the Williston Police and Fire banquet will be this Friday evening.

Comm. Brooks stated the Clean-up day previously scheduled had to be postponed and will now be on March 25th if anyone is interested in helping out.

Comm. John Meeks stated he had attended the Railroads and Riverboats event hosted by the Levy County Historical Society and reported is was very informative and entertaining.

Comm. John Meeks announced the Suwannee River Fair begins on March 9th and runs through the 19th.  The Levy County Fair begins on March 30th and will run through April 2nd.

The dates for the Chiefland Farmer’s Market are March 11th and March 25th.  March 25th is also the date for the South Levy Marketplace in Yankeetown.

Comm. John Meeks reported he had recently attended the National Association of Counties Conference in Washington D.C. representing Levy County and Florida.

Comm. John Meeks reported of a recently attended Economic and Workforce Development Steering Sub-Committee meeting.

 

THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE COMMISSION, THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 12:06 P.M.

 

ATTEST:                                                                                    BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

LEVY COUNTY, FL

________________________________________                    ________________________________________

Clerk of Court, Danny J. Shipp                                                  Chairman, John Meeks