REGULAR MEETING
LEVY COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
MARCH 22, 2011
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Levy County Commissioners was held on March 22, 2011 at 9:00 AM in the Levy County Board ofCountyCommissionersmeeting room, with the following Commissioners present:
Chairman Danny Stevens
Comm. Marsha Drew
Comm. Ryan Bell
Also present were:
Clerk of Court – Danny J. Shipp
CountyAttorney– Anne Bast Brown
CountyCoordinator– Fred Moody
Chairman Stevens called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM. Bruce Greenlee gave the invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
EXPENDITURES
Comm. Drew made a motion to approve the following expenditures presented for payment. Second was made by Comm. Bell and the MOTION CARRIES.
| CHECK NUMBER | 104237-104380 |
| FUND |
AMOUNT |
| GENERAL REVENUE |
411,118.89 |
| ROAD |
542,089.34 |
| SHIP |
4,595.00 |
| COURT TECH/CRIM PREV |
70.62 |
| TRANSPORTATION |
29,365.87 |
| COURT FACILITIES |
99.00 |
| PROGRESS ENERGY |
306.72 |
| EMS |
40,048.62 |
| FIRE |
8,399.93 |
| TOURIST DEVELOPMENT |
1,030.32 |
| UTILITIES |
7,369.46 |
| COMMUNICATION |
9,855.01 |
| CAPITAL PROJECTS |
2,264.50 |
| LANDFILL |
71,583.82 |
| TOTAL | $ 1,128,197.10 |
MINUTES
Approval of minutes for the Regular Board Meeting held March 8, 2011.
Comm. Drew made a motion to approve the minutes for the regular meeting held March 8, 2011 as presented. Second was made by Comm. Bell and the MOTION CARRIES.
PUBLIC HEARING
ROAD DEPARTMENT
Bruce Greenlee, Administrative Superintendent
A. Adoption of Resolution 2011-08, approving the petition to vacate, abandon and closed portions of roadways and alleys located in Bronson Heights Subdivision, Unit 1 as petitioned by William R. Coutts, Jr.
Mr. Greenlee requested approval of Resolution 2011-08, a petition to vacate, abandon and close portions of roadways and alleys located in Bronson Heights Subdivision, Unit 1 as petitioned by William R. Coutts, Jr.
Chairman Stevens calls for public comment.
Steven Tuttle spoke and stated he has no problem with the closure except forEasy Blvd. Mr. Tuttle stated he would like to see this road left open as he owns property which he may sell one day accessible by this road.
Deborah Claskins stated she is Mr. Coutts daughter and had no problem with leavingEasy Blvd.open as well asWilliams Blvd.
Rex Paramore stated he is against the road closure entirely and has a concern with 92nd Court.
Atty. Brown states if certain roads are removed from the petition, the Resolution will need to be revised.
The Board decided to TABLE this item until the April 5th meeting due to the discrepancies with petition. The Public Hearing is continued as well until the April 5th meeting.
B. Request approval to award bid for purchase of two mowers
Mr. Greenlee read into public record the four bids received. The bids are listed below:
Ring Power $56,266.00 each
HighlandTractor $42,715.92 each
Live Oak Tractor $42,849.07 each
GreenSouth $40,350.00 each
Comm. Bell made a motion to purchase the two mowers from GreenSouth, which was the lowest bid. Second was made by Comm. Drew and the MOTION CARRIES.
C. Request guidance from Board on Florida Department of Transportation grant projects.
Mr. Greenlee stated the following grants are available and asked if the Commissioners had anything in their Districts they wished to be addressed, to let him know.
SCOP – SmallCountyOutreachProgram
SCRAP –Small County RoadAssistance Program
CIPG –CountyIncentiveGrant Program
LEVY COUNTY SHERRIFF’S OFFICE
911 ADDRESSING
Mike West,
A. Request Board Chairman’s signature on the E911 Rural County Grant Application.
Mr. West requested the Board Chairman’s signature on the E911 Rural County Grant Application in the amount of $25,732.59. He stated this grant is for software maintenance and maintenance on their 911 equipment.
Comm. Drew made a motion to approve having the Chairman sign the E911 Rural County Grant Application as presented. Second was made by Comm. Bell and the MOTION CARRIES.
LEVY COUNTY FAIR ASSOCIATION
A. Proposed Proclamation 2011-14, recognizing Levy County Fair Week, April 4 through April 10, 2011.
Jim Smith, Executive Director and Michelle Jones, Fair Director requested approval and read into public record Proclamation 2011-14, recognizing Levy County Fair Week, April 4 through April 10, 2011.
Comm. Drew made a motion to approve Proclamation 2011-14 as presented. Second was made by Comm. Bell and the MOTION CARRIES.
EARLY LEARNING COALITION OF THE NATURE COAST
Amanda Lovett
A. Proposed Proclamation 2011-10 recognizing and observing March 21 through March 25, 2011 as Children’s Week inLevyCounty.
Ms. Lovett requested Board approval and read into public record Proclamation 2011-10 recognizing and observing March 21 through March 25, 2011 as Children’s Week inLevyCounty.
Comm. Bell made a motion to approve Proclamation 2011-10 as presented. Second was made by Comm. Drew and the MOTION CARRIES.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Barbara Snow
A. Request approval to place mobile structure at residence for the purpose of a non-profit War Dog Veteran’s group.
Ms. Snow, representing the United States War Dog Association, Southern Chapter, spoke to the Board and presented commemorative jewelry for commissioners to view. Ms. Snow requested Board approval to place a mobile structure at her residence for the purpose of a non-profit War Dog Veteran’s group.
Commissioners suggested Ms. Snow consult Rob Corbitt regarding placing a mobile structure at her residence.
Anna Prizzia
Slow FoodGainesville
A. Proposed Proclamation 2011-12, declaring April 12, 2011 as Reinvest Day in support of Buy Local North Central Florida campaign.
Ms. Prizzia requested approval of Proclamation 2011-12, declaring April 12, 2011 as Reinvest Day and gave information about the Buy Local North Central Florida campaign. Ms. Prizzia then read Proclamation 2011-12 into public record.
Comm. Drew made a motion to approve Proclamation 2011-12 as presented. Second was made by Comm. Bell and the MOTION CARRIES.
Peggy Rowe
A. Discussion about thecountyPolicyregarding Volunteer Drug Screening and Volunteerism.
Ms. Rowe, speaking as an active Volunteer and representing Bronson HCE Club spoke to the Board expressing concerns regarding the county’s policy on Volunteer Drug Screening and Volunteerism.
Comm. Stevens explained why drug screening was implemented for volunteers.
Mr. Moody explained the testing is a result of “Drug Free” workplace requirements.
Sylvia Penny spoke to Board stating she thinks the policy is ridiculous.
Mr. Moody stated he will check into the requirements to see if drug testing requirements can be lessened for volunteers.
VFW
John Wayne Myers, Jr.
Vice Commander, VFW Rebel Post #5625
A. Presentation of Certificate of Appreciation with cash award to EMT Terri NesSmith, Firefighter David Florance, and Sheriff Investigator Joe Barrera.
Mr. Myers, Jr. Vice-Commander of VFW Post 5625 presented Certificates of Appreciation to EMT Terri NesSmith, Firefighter David Florance, and Sheriff Investigator Joe Barrera.
LEVY COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Major Evan Sullivan
A. Status report on proposed communication center.
Major Sullivan, speaking on behalf of Sheriff Johnny Smith, spoke to the Board and gave a status report of the mobile data dispatching system to let them know where they are at now and where they are going. He stated the Sheriff’s Department had recently gone live with mobile data terminals and silent dispatch. They believe this new process has the potential to reduce some of the work load of the dispatchers by 20%-30%. Major Sullivan stated the Sheriff’s Department has traditionally provided dispatch services at no cost to the agencies in the county. They currently have 12 dispatchers employed at this time, one of which is still in training. Major Sullivan stated the Sheriff’s Department needs to hire four new dispatchers which would be a cost of $195,142. The county could not provide the additional money to cover this cost, so each agency would be charged for dispatching services. In light of difficult economic times and uncertainty inTallahassee, the Sheriff has decided not to charge any of the agencies October 1 of this year, as previously discussed.
Major Sullivan stated the following conditions would be required of the agencies in order to continue dispatching services:
1. Agencies will be required to sign an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding), renewing each June.
2. Agencies must have mobile data terminals, excluding Fire Departments.
3. Agencies must have data cards for laptops.
4. Agencies must have e-agent, a software allowing the police officer to run tags at their fingertips.
Major Sullivan introduced Hal Floyd, CEO of Beacon Software Solutions. Mr. Floyd spoke to the Board and explained the silent dispatching system his company provides. The cost for the software will be $7,500 per agency, which includes one year of support. After the first year, the support and maintenance fee would be 15% of the $7,500 per year. The system has been offered toEMSfor a 30-day trial before purchasing. Currently, Beacon Software Solutions provides services for the following agencies: Levy County Sheriff’s Department, Chiefland Police Department, Cedar Key Police Department, Marion County Sheriff’s Department andRoswellCountyDetentionCenterinNew Mexico.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Chief Harris of Chiefland Fire and Rescue stated he was concerned about an article he read recently in the Chiefland Citizen concerning a historical building the fire department had burned. He stated he had received a disturbing phone call from Ms. Toni Collins indicating he should have consulted with Mr. Corbitt. Chief Harris asked the Board if she is employed by the Board and has she been appointed with any authority to determine if a building can or cannot be burned?
Comm. Drew answered Ms. Collins is a member of the Planning Board. The other Board members answered they are not aware of any authority concerning the fire department.
Mr. Moody stated theAdamsvilleCemeterygroup had authorized the burning of the building.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
CORRESPONDENCE
Heather Lombardo
A. Proposed Resolution 2011-06, supporting funding for mental health and substance abuse services.
Comm. Bell made a motion to approve Resolution 2011-06 as presented. Second was made by Comm. Drew and the MOTION CARRIES.
B. Proposed Resolution 2011-13, authorizing the execution and recording of aCountyDeedto the State of Florida Department of Transportation forState Roadpurposes.
Comm. Drew made a motion to approve Resolution 2011-13 as presented. Second was made by Comm. Bell and the MOTION CARRIES.
The meeting recessed at 11:27 A.M.
The meeting reconvened at 11:33 A.M.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE
Trish Seibold, Director
A. Request removal of Resolution 2007-25, no longer being utilized for implementation of Paramedic Training Program. – REMOVED –
B. Proposed Resolution 2011-09, providing for reimbursed funds forParamedicSchool.
Ms. Siebold requested board approval of Resolution 2011-09, providing for reimbursed funds forParamedicSchool.
Comm. Drew made a motion to approve Resolution 2011-09 as presented. Second was made by Comm. Bell and the MOTION CARRIES.
C. Request approval of contract withCentralFloridaCollege, allowing students to ride on LCEMS ambulances.
Ms. Siebold requested board approval of the contract withCentralFloridaCollege, allowing students to ride on LCEMS ambulances.
Comm. Drew made a motion to approve the contract withCentralFloridaCollegeas presented. Second was made by Comm. Bell and the MOTION CARRIES.
COUNTY COORDINATOR
Fred Moody
A. Proposed Budget Workshops.
Mr. Moody informed the Board his office will assemble some staff and start some fact finding and data gathering in preparation for upcoming budget workshops. His intention is not to set budget workshop dates at this time, but to start meeting with the departments first.
COMMISSIONER’S REPORTS
Comm. Drew made a motion to hear a non agenda item. Second was made by Comm. Bell and the MOTION CARRIES.
Comm. Drew requested approval to prepare a letter of support for the concept of the Bike Path Project in Yankeetown to be extended to the end of SR 40 at the boat ramp.
Comm. Bell made a motion to approve sending a letter of support to the Bike Path Committee as presented. Second was made by Comm. Drew and the MOTION CARRIES.
Comm. Drew asked the other Commissioners if they were interested in looking into the public awareness campaign regarding ambulance abuse.
Comm. Bell stated he would be interested in getting withEMSon this issue.
Comm. Bell stated the Nature Coast State Trail Management Plan will be holding a public meeting on Thursday, April 7, 2011 from 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. at theFanningSpringsWildlifeParkif anyone is interested in attending.
Comm. Bell stated there is a free workshop and dinner on Tuesday, April 19, 2011 from 5:30 P.M. to 7:30 P.M. at theTommyUsherCommunity Centeron how to be fire wise and learn how to protect your home.
Comm. Bell stated he will be attending the Suwannee River Fair sale tomorrow morning.
Each of the Commissioners will be inTallahasseefor Legislative Day tomorrow.
THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE COMMISSION, THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 11:56 A.M.
ATTEST: BOARD OFCOUNTYCOMMISSIONERS
LEVY COUNTY,FL
____________________________________ ____________________________________
Clerk of Court, Danny J. Shipp Chairman, Danny Stevens