REGULAR MEETING

LEVY COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

MAY 18, 2010

 

 

The Regular Meeting of the Board of Levy County Commissioners was held on May 18, 2010, at 9:00 AM in the Levy County Board ofCountyCommissionersmeeting room, with the following Commissioners present:

 

Chairperson Nancy Bell

Vice Chairperson Danny Stevens

Comm. Marsha Drew

Comm. Lilly Rooks

Comm.ChadJohnson

            Also present were:

Danny J. Shipp – Clerk of Court

CountyAttorney– Anne Bast Brown

CountyCoordinator– Fred Moody

Assistant to theCountyCoordinator– Dick Tummond

 

 

Chairperson Bell called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM.  Comm. Bell gave the invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

 

EXPENDITURES

 

Comm. Stevens made a motion to approve the following expenditures presented for payment.  Second was made by Comm. Rooks and the MOTION CARRIES.

 

 

 

MINUTES

 

Approval of Minutes for the Regular Meeting held May 4, 2010.

Comm. Drew made a motion to approve the minutes for the regular meeting held on May 4, 2010 as presented.  Second was made by Comm. Stevens and the MOTION CARRIES.

 

 

COMM. NANCY BELL

 

Comm. Nancy Bell, Chairperson

A.     Proclamation 2010-23 Honoring and Recognizing the Efforts of the Association for Home and Community Education Volunteers.

 

Comm. Bell introduced Muriel Turner from the Extension Office who requested the Board adopt Proclamation 2010-23.  Ms. Turner read the Proclamation into record and recognized several of the volunteers in attendance of the meeting.

Comm. Rooks made a motion to adopt Proclamation 2010-23.  Second was made by Comm. Drew and the MOTION CARRIES.

 

 

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

 

Mark Johnson, Director

Mr. Johnson gave an update the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf and indicated there is still no immediate threat to theLevyCountycoastline.

 

 

VFW

 

Ivan Chubb

A.     Memorial Day Celebration.

 

Mr. Chubb reminded everyone of the Memorial Day Celebrations to be held in Cedar Key on May 30, 2010 at 1:00 P.M. at theCedarKeyCemeteryand one in Bronson, May 31, 2010 atRosemaryHillCemeteryat 1:00 P.M.

 

 

COMM. MARSHA DREW

 

Comm. Marsha Drew

A.     Citizen Recognition.

 

Comm. Drew presented Mr. Chubb with a Certificate of Appreciation from the Board and thanked him for all he does to represent both the military and the citizens ofLevyCounty.

 

 

PUBLIC HEARING

 

Bruce Greenlee, Road Department Administrative Superintendent

A.     Resolution 2010-25 to approve the closing of a 20’ easement on NE 20^th Street in Foxwood Farms.

 

Mr. Greenlee requested approval of Resolution 2010-25 to schedule a public hearing for the closing of a 20’ easement on NE 20^th Street in Foxwood Farms.  The meeting date was set for June 22, 2010 at 9:00 A.M.

Comm. Rooks made a motion to approve Resolution 2010-25 scheduling a date for a public hearing.  Second was made by Comm. Stevens and the MOTION CARRIES

 

 

ROAD DEPARTMENT

 

Bruce Greenlee, Administrative Superintendent

A.     Request approval of an interlocal agreement with the City ofChieflandto assist in a Community Development Block Grant application.

 

Mr. Greenlee requested approval of an interlocal agreement with the City ofChieflandto assist in a Comminity Development Block Grant application.

Comm. Rooks made a motion to approve the interlocal agreement with the City ofChiefland.  Second was made by Comm. Stevens and the MOTION CARRIES.

 

Mr. Greenlee gave an update to the Board on the roads he was given permission to repair due road damage as a result of the freezing temperatures earlier in the year.  He reported there were 27 miles of roads repaired during this time and wanted to give credit to the employees who were responsible for getting this done.

 

 

JORDAN AND ASSOCIATES

 

Blount Armstrong,Jordanand Associates

A.     1^st Public Hearing:  CDBG Application.

 

Mr. Armstrong introduces Jeffrey Winter, his associate and explains they are the Grant Consultants assisting the County in the application for the County’s CDBG Application.  He stated the purpose of this public hearing for CDBG application is to make the public awareLevyCountyhas the opportunity to apply for a Community Development Block Grant up to $750,000 and also how it may be used.

Comm. Bell calls for public comment.

Toni Collins asks if there are any areas in the county which would qualify as neighborhood revitalization?

Mr. Tummond answers this would be the unincorporated areas of the county.

Comm. Drew asks what is the process to determine what projects are to be earmarked for the application?

Mr. Armstrong stated there is a Citizens Advisory Task Force in place within the county which has worked with Community Development Block Grant and they are scheduling a meeting with them to get input on which area should be pursued.  The recommendation they receive will be reviewed and brought to the Board at a second public hearing for consideration.

Comm. Bell closes the public hearing.

 

B.     Fair Housing Workshop.

 

Jeffrey Winter explains the Fair Housing Workshop and reads to the Board an excerpt on the Fair Housing Act.

Comm. Bell calls for public comment and there was none.

 

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

 

Tom TenBroeck from the Chiefland Citizen thanked the Board for submitting the Delinquent Tax Notices with them this year and spoke with Linda Fugate, Levy County Tax Collector on how the County could reduce costs on this in the future.

 

 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

 

 

COUNTY COORDINATOR

 

Fred Moody,CountyCoordinator

A.     Amendment to Agreement betweenLevyCountyand Nature Coast Business Development Council, Inc.

 

Mr. Moody requests approval of the Amendment to Agreement betweenLevyCountyand Nature Coast Business Development Council, Inc.  He explains in paragraph 2 of the Agreement, the amendment will read:  In addition, the County has allocated the sum of $1,225 to be paid to the Council in equal installments at the beginning of the quarters of the fiscal year remaining as of the date of this Amendment.  The additional $1,225 is intended for the payment for office space and facilities provided by the Town ofBronson.

Comm. Drew made a motion to approve the Agreement.  Second was made by Comm. Johnson and the MOTION CARRIES.

 

 

LEVY COUNTY TRANSIT

 

Fred Moody,CountyCoordiantor

A.     Request approval for the Withlacoochee Regional Planning Council Annual Planning Grant Application for FY 2010/2011.

 

Mr. Moody requests on behalf of Ms. Painter approval of Resolution 2010-22 authorizing the Withlacoochee Regional Planning Council to file a Disadvantaged Trust Fund Grant Application with the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged.  Mr. Moody states the funds requested in the amount of $17,864 are utilized for transportation related expenses for planning and execution of services.

Comm. Stevens made a motion to approve Resolution 2010-22.  Second was made by Comm. Rooks and the MOTION CARRIES.

 

 

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES

 

Trish Seibold, Director

1. Announcement ofEMSWeek.

 

Ms. Seibold announced this is EMS Week, May 16-22 and commended the County’s EMS Employees.  Ms. Seibold let everyone know they will be in different areas throughout the week and a booth is set up in the Courthouse lobby today with information and free items for the public.

 

2. Information on the need for a Bariatric Ambulance.

 

Mrs. Seibold gave information on efforts to equip a bariatric ambulance for extremely obese patients in the county and they are also checking into purchasing a special stretcher for this ambulance.

 

 

SHIP

 

Dick Tummond, Director

A.  Satisfaction of Mortgage.

 

Mr. Tummond requested Board approval of a Satisfaction of Mortgage for Lucille H. Battles in the amount of $12,750 and then filing an amended mortgage in the amount to $8,500 as the original amount recorded was more than what was actually spent.

Comm. Drew made a motion to approve the Satisfaction of Mortgage and the amended Satisfaction of Mortgage as presented.  Second was made by Comm. Stevens and the MOTION CARRIES.

 

 

ATTORNEY’S REPORT

 

Anne Bast Brown,CountyAttorney

A.     Discussion and direction from the Board on whether to stay in or opt out of federal class action suit, County of Monroe v. Priceline.com, Inc. et al., and if opting out, whether to join pending state suit with other counties, Leon County, et al. v. Expedia, Inc., et al.

 

Atty. Brown explains the pros and cons of staying in theMonroeCountyfederal class action suit or to opt out and whether or not to join in with other counties on theLeonCountycase.

Discussion follows as to what the Board would like to do.  The consensus of the Board was to stay with theMonroeCountyclass action suit.

 

 

COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS

 

Comm. Bell

A.     Ratification of Letter of Support forCentralFloridaCommunity College.

 

Comm. Bell requested ratification by the Board for a letter of support for CFCC.

Comm. Rooks made a motion to ratify the letter of support for CFCC.  Second was made by Comm. Drew and the MOTION CARRIES.

 

B.     Proclamation and Pledge of Civility in the Month of May.

 

Comm. Bell requested approval of Proclamation 2010-30 proclaiming the month of May as Civility Month.

Comm. Drew made a motion to approve Proclamation 2010-30.  Second was made by Comm. Johnson and the MOTION CARRIES.

Comm. Bell read Proclamation 2010-30 into record.

 

Comm. Bell gave an update on the progress of theTri-CountyHospital.

 

Comm. Rooks

A.     Approval of Renewal Agreement for Amended Interlocal Agreement creating the Citrus, Levy, Marion Workforce Consortium (CLM Workforce).

 

Comm. Rooks requested approval for the renewal Agreement for Amended Interlocal Agreement creating the Citrus, Levy, Marion Workforce Consortium (CLM Workforce).

Comm. Rooks made a motion to approve the Renewal Agreement as presented.  Second was made by Comm. Drew and the MOTION CARRIES.

 

Comm. Rooks gave an update on a meeting she had after the last Board meeting on May 4^th with Pat O’Neil of the Nature Coast Business Development Council and Rusty Skinner about bringing in some job skills training to theLevyCountyCentralFloridaCommunity College.  Comm. Rooks stated she had attended a meeting when the stimulus moneys first came out to see what people were actually looking at and was overwhelmed at the number of people looking for skills training and jobs.

 

Comm. Stevens stated there would be Memorial Day Services at the OrangeHillCemeteryon May 30^th at 1:30.

 

Comm. Johnson gave an update on a Broadband Authority meeting he had attended last week.  He stated a resolution was passed to attain their line of credit and a schedule was passed for the Grant compliance.  Comm. Johnson stated he had also gone to the EOC operations center inTallahasseeand wanted to remind everyoneFloridais still open for business in spite of rumors surrounding the oil spill.

Comm. Johnson gave a follow up from Comm. Bell’s statement on the hospital regarding the CON (Certificate of Need).  He stated this was to expire June 2^nd and an extension had been filed.

 

Comm. Drew stated Yankeetown is continuing its effort to gather supplies for wild bird rescue in the event they are needed.  If they are not needed here, the supplies will be passed on to other organizations needing them.  Anyone wishing to donate supplies can contact Comm. Drew.

 

 

The meeting recessed at 10:51

The meeting reconvened at 11:08

 

 

PERSONNEL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES WORKSHOP

 

 

Mrs. Martin presented the Board with updates to replace the existing Sexual Harassment Policy to name it the Sexual and Other Illegal or Improper Misconduct and Harassment Policy.

Comm. Drew made a motion to accept replacing the Sexual Harassment Policy with the Sexual and Other Illegal or Improper Misconduct and Harassment Policy as presented.  Second was made by Comm. Johnson and the MOTION CARRIES.

 

Mrs. Martin requested the probation period for new employees be changed on 204, item #3 from 6-9 months to 6 months and to give permission for the department head or supervisor to extend the probation period beyond 6 months if needed.

Comm. Drew made a motion to accept the change on 204, #3 regarding the employee probation period as presented.  Second was made by Comm. Johnson and the MOTION CARRIES.

 

Comm. Drew asked about #210 regarding the lay-off policy and if someone not specifically trained in an area could be bumped by someone with more seniority.

Mrs. Martin stated she would look into this and have an answer at the next workshop.

 

Mrs. Cannon asked about reimbursement for travel expenses pertaining to per diem.  Discussion followed about the county’s policy on travel reimbursement.

The Board decided by consensus to draft a travel outline of commissioner travel reimbursement for travel out of the county.

Comm. Johnson asked about education assistance in #502 as to what level we are to provide educational assistance.  Discussion followed as to what type of training had been provided in the past and if the employee was required to remain employed with the county for a set period of time following the training.

 

Mrs. Cannon asked about paid holidays and if someone wishing to observe a holiday not recognized by the Board’s paid holidays could do so.  It was answered the employee could take a holiday other than what was recognized as a paid holiday by the Board, but they would have to use their Floating Holiday or Annual Leave.

 

 

THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE COMMISSION, THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 11:42 A.M.

 

ATTEST:                                                                                             BOARD OFCOUNTYCOMMISSIONERS

LEVY COUNTY,FL

 

 

____________________________________                                    ____________________________________

Clerk of Court, Danny J. Shipp                                                 Chairperson, Nancy Bell