The Regular Meeting of the Board of Levy County Commissioners was held on November 22, 2016 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 – Fred Moody
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. Joyner made a motion to approve the following expenditures presented for payment. Second was made by Comm. Brooks and the MOTION CARRIES.
| CHECK NUMBER | 125644-125807 |
| FUND | AMOUNT |
| GENERAL REVENUE | 104,943.89 |
| ROAD | 55,623.52 |
| PAL LIBRARY | 11,968.00 |
| MOSQUITO CONTROL | 679.09 |
| TRANSPORTATION | 24,161.34 |
| COURT FACILITIES | 15.00 |
| EMS | 39,006.92 |
| FIRE | 25,956.22 |
| TOURIST DEVELOPMENT | 3,431.10 |
| UTILITIES | 2,009.67 |
| COMMUNICATION | 163.79 |
| ADD COURT COSTS | 669.50 |
| LANDFILL | 85,749.97 |
| TOTAL | $ 354,378.01 |
MINUTES
The minutes for the Regular Board meeting held on September 20, 2016 were presented for Board approval.
Comm. Rock Meeks made a motion to approve the minutes for the Regular Board meeting held on September 20, 2016 as presented. Second was made by Comm. Joyner and the MOTION CARRIES.
SWEARING IN OF COMMISSIONERS
Swearing in of Comm. Mike Joyner and newly elected Comm. Matt Brooks was done by Judge Browning. Swearing in of Comm. John Meeks was done by Judge Smith.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Renate Cannon stated she had recently attended the Levy County Constitutional and Court Facilities Committee meeting and shared her concerns of funding sources for construction of a new courthouse which was recommended by the Chief Judge.
Chris Smith with Likwid Communications spoke to the Board of offering fiber optic broadband services for Levy County. He stated he will come back with a presentation at a later date.
PUBLIC HEARING
NATURE COAST BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
David Pieklik, Executive Director
A. Request adoption of Ordinance 2016-03 amending provisions of the Economic Development Fund Incentive Program; adopt Resolution 2016-072 adopting amended Guide and Application for Economic Development Incentives Program.
Mr. Pieklik presented and requested Board approval of Ordinance 2016-03 amending provisions of the Economic Development Fund Program.
Atty. Brown read the Ordinance into public record.
Comm. John Meeks asked if there were any members of the audience wishing to speak regarding the Ordinance as presented. There were none.
Comm. Joyner made a motion to approve Ordinance 2016-03 as presented. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
Atty. Brown stated Resolution 2016-072 adopts the revised application form for the Economic Development Incentives Program.
Comm. Joyner made a motion to approve Resolution 2016-072 as presented. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES
B. Consider Economic Development Fund Incentives Application from Beall’s Outlet Stores, store #175, Chiefland.
Mr. Pieklik requested, based on the submitted application, the Board to make the determination if the applicant, Beall’s Outlet Stores #175 in Chiefland is entitled to the requested incentive. If so, Mr. Pieklik requested the Board determine an appropriate award amount.
Comm. Rock Meeks made a motion to approve the applicant’s incentive application with no amount set at this time. Second was made by Comm. Joyner and the MOTION CARRIES.
LINDA COOPER
A. Request the County to leave the price of printing the Levy County Delinquent Tax List at the bid price of $.06 per line for which the Levy County Journal printed it for the last two (2) years.
B. .How is the County now addressing only the Delinquent Tax List printing but to my knowledge have not addressed or bid out the regular County or Board legal advertising
C..Request to form a committee to place on electronic bulletin board all legal advertising for taxpayers to view at their leisure and not have to hunt for the information such as zoning changes, public meeting, etc.
Atty. Brown and the Commissioners addressed questions and concerns indicated above by Ms. Cooper.
Members of the audience speaking regarding this item were: Barney Cannon, Toni Collins and Robert Jordan.
Comm. Joyner made a motion to submit for bids for advertising and to allow Mr. Dean to set the corresponding dates. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
U.S. WAR DOG ASSOCIATION, CHAPTER 2
Barbara Snow presented the Board with a shadow box for MWD Jukon, a military working dog belonging to Judie Mindrum. The shadow box is placed on the Veteran’s wall located in the Courthouse lobby.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
COUNTY COORDINATOR
Wilbur Dean, Interim County Coordinato
A. Request to allow County Attorney freedom to negotiate items up to $2,500. – TABLED –
B. Dean requested direction from the Board regarding Board meeting dates which fall on the Tuesday directly following a holiday on a Monday. He asked if they would consider holding this particular meeting in the evening instead of at 9:00 A.M. Mr. Dean pointed out there is a meeting coming up in January which will fall under such circumstances. The second meeting in January is on the 17th which follows a Monday Holiday, Martin Luther King Day.
After discussion and input from the audience, it was agreed by the Commissioners to keep the January 17th meeting time as it is scheduled at 9:00 A.M.
PARKS AND RECREATION
Matt Weldon requested Board approval of RIVER Cost Share Agreement with Suwannee River Water Management District. Approval of this agreement will give permission to move forward with the Blue Springs Renovation Project.
Comm. Rock Meeks made a motion to approve the RIVER Cost Share Agreement with Suwannee River Water Management District as requested. Second was made by Comm. Joyner and the MOTION CARRIES.
TOURIST DEVELOPMENT
Carol McQueen
Request approval and signature of the Chairman on the Amending Agreement with the Conservation Fund. The Amendment is to change the deadline of the agreement from November 30, 2016 to March 31, 2017.
Comm. John Meeks presented on behalf of Mrs. McQueen the Amending Agreement with the Conservation Fund used to compile a shellfish trail map. The amendment is to change the deadline of the agreement from November 30, 2016 to March 31, 2017 and as it has been signed and submitted, requires ratification by the Commissioners.
Comm. Joyner made a motion to ratify the Amending Agreement with the Conservation Fund as requested. Second was made by Comm. Brooks and the MOTION CARRIES.
GRANTS
Tisha Whitehurst requested Board approval to adopt Resolution 2016-073, amending the powers and duties of the RESTORE Act Advisory Committee to include review of Pot 3 Projects. Currently, the Committee meets monthly to discuss the progress with Pot 1 funds only for the RESTORE Act.
Comm. Joyner made a motion to approve Resolution 2016-73 as requested. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
Mrs. Whitehurst added Levy County is to receive over $2 million for Pot 1 funds and she is expecting Levy County to receive $12.6 million for Pot 3 monies. She stated Levy County was not expecting to receive any Pot 2 money as this was a completely different category and the county was not eligible, but the University of Florida had applied and were awarded $8.3 million for a Levy County Oyster Reef project. There will be a representative present at the December 6th meeting with a presentation.
SHIP
Marlon Gayle requested Board approval for the Finance Department to issue a refund payment of $3,048.09 to Security Title regarding a SHIP Rehabilitation mortgage for the Estate of Lavonda Kennedy. The attorney for the estate and the title company were unaware Ms. Kennedy’s death would automatically trigger a satisfaction once the death certificate was recorded. Once aware of this, they requested a refund.
Comm. Joyner made a motion to approve the refund to Security Title as requested. Second was made by Comm. Brooks and the MOTION CARRIES.
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
Alesha Renaudo, Assistant to the Public Safety Director
Request approval from the Board and Chairman’s signature for the annual County Award Grant for the improvement and expansion of EMS Services as well as adoption of Resolution 2016-075.
Mrs. Renaudo requested Board approval and Chairman’s signature for the Annual County Award Grant in the amount of $4,707.00 for the improvement and expansion of EMS services as well as adoption of Resolution 2016-075.
Comm. Rock Meeks made a motion to approve Resolution 2016-075 and the Chairman’s signature on the annual County Award Grant as requested. Second was made by Comm. Brooks and the MOTION CARRIES.
ROAD DEPARTMENT
Casey DuQuette, Administrative Field Manager
Mr. Duquette requested Board approval to submit:
A. CIGP (County Incentive Grant Program) application for CR 347 beginning at Alt. 27 and ending at US 19/98 for approximately 4.01 miles with authorization of Mrs. LaLonde to sign. This project consists of widening and re-surfacing the roadway from the existing lane width of 20’ to 22”.
B. CIGP (County Incentive Grant Program) application CR 345 beginning at Alt. 27 and ending at SR 129 for approximately 2.53 miles with authorization of Mrs. LaLonde to sign. This project consists of widening and re-surfacing the roadway from the existing lane width of 20” to 22”.
C. SCRAP (Small County Road Assistance Program) application for C32-B beginning at SR 24 and ending at C32 (NE 90th) with authorization of Mrs. LaLonde to sign. The road is approximately .61 miles long and the project consists of re-surfacing the roadway.
Comm. Joyner made a motion to approve the three (3) above listed Grant applications with approval for Mrs. LaLonde to sign. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
Mr. Duquette reported to the Board construction on Shell Mound Road has begun.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Dana Sheffield spoke to the Board and welcomed Comm. Matt Brooks. Barney Cannon also spoke.
COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS
Comm. Joyner and Comm. Rock Meeks wished everyone a safe and Happy Thanksgiving.
Comm. Brooks reported a recently attended Small County Coalition meeting pointing out several items of interest to Levy County. He also wished everyone a safe and Happy Thanksgiving.
Comm. J. Meeks gave dates and times of upcoming events:
Cedar Key Chamber of Commerce annual auction will be Saturday, November 26th from 1:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. at the Cedar Key Community Center.
Clay Landing Days will be Friday and Saturday, November 25th and 26th from 10:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. at Manatee Springs State Park.
Christmas Tree Lighting in Cedar Key will be in the City Park on November 25th.
There will be a Color Run 5K on Saturday, December 3rd at the City Park sponsored by the Bronson Middle High School Travel Club starting at 8:30 A.M.
The Light Up Williston event will be at Heritage Park and Christmas Parade is on December 3rd.
Festival of Lights and Boat Parade in Fanning Springs will be on December 3rd at the Fanning Springs State Park.
Chiefland Christmas Festival is on December 10th.
Discussion of letter from FDOT; National Highway System update to US 41 from the Marion County line to US 27 Alt. Roadway, ID: 34040000 from MP 0.000 to MP 11.823. This roadway segment is 11.823 miles in length is functionally classified as “rural principal arterial-other”, which is defined as a highway which provides access between an arterial and a major port, airport, public transportation facility, or other intermodal transportation facility. Comm. John Meeks stated the letter is accompanied by an Application for National Highway System Change, which requires his signature.
Those in the audience speaking regarding this item were: Renate Cannon, Robert Jordan and Sallie Ann Collins.
Comm. John Meeks asked if Casey Duquette could assist Atty. Brown to prepare a letter indicating the Board’s interest in a stoplight at the intersection of CR 326 and SR 41 in return for signing the application as requested.
Comm. John Meeks provided lists of 2017 Board appointments to each of the Commissioners for their review. Decisions would be made at a later date.
Comm. John Meeks stated if there are any Legislative priorities they have as a Board, they should be discussed in upcoming meetings so they may be presented as a clear and concise package to the Legislative Delegation meeting which will be in January.
THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE COMMISSION, THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 12:11 P.M.
ATTEST: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
LEVY COUNTY, FL
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Clerk of Court, Danny J. Shipp Chairman, John Meeks