ALACHUA COUNTY, FL
Board of County Commissioners
Meeting Agenda

Tuesday, February 25, 2025

11:30 A.m. - 12:30 P.m.

County Administration Building - Jack Durrance Auditorium

12 SE 1 Street, 2nd Floor, Gainesville, FL 32601

An in-person Public Comment period follows all non-ministerial motions. There are two General Comment periods: Noon and 5:30 p.m. (or at the end of the morning meeting if there is no evening meeting).  Members of the public may only speak during one of the two designated General Comment periods.  At Noon, commenters may be in person or call in. Commenters have 3 minutes for agenda items and 3 minutes for non-agenda matters. Those addressing agenda items can't comment again when that item comes up.

 

Noon call-in instructions (3 minutes for agenda items and 3 minutes for non-agenda matters):

     ● Dial 1-929-205-6099,
     ● Enter meeting ID 873 5974 1977.
     ● "Raise" your hand by hitting *9 (star 9). When called on, hit *6 (star 6) to speak.

 

For Quasi-Judicial Items, it is best to speak when the item comes up, as the Commission can only consider testimony given at the public hearing.

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The meeting can be viewed on Cox Channel 12, the AC TV app (Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku), the County’s Facebook and YouTube sites, and the county’s Video on Demand website.
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Citizens attending Alachua County public meetings downtown can enjoy free parking in the S.W. Parking Garage (105 SW 3rd St, Gainesville) starting on the 2nd floor in zones marked 35200. To obtain parking validation, download the “Passport” app on your smartphone and pay for your session. Then visit the Alachua County Manager's Office, located on the 2nd floor of the County Administration Building, on noticed public meeting days to receive a validation code.
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All persons are advised that, if they decide to contest any decision made at any of these meetings, they will need a record of the proceedings and, for such purpose they may need to ensure that verbatim record of the proceedings is made which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. (Section 286.0105 Florida Statutes) 
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If you have a disability and need an accommodation to participate in this meeting, please contact the Alachua County Equal Opportunity Office at [phone] at least 2 business days prior to the meeting. TTY users please call 711. (Florida Relay Service)

 

12 SE 1st Street ■ Gainesville, Florida 32601 ■ Tel. [phone] ■ Fax [phone] ■ TDD call 711 Relay ■ Commissioners’ E-Mail: ■ Home Page: www.alachuacounty.us
An Equal Opportunity Employer M.F.V.D

 

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A.

Invocation

Reverend Arthur Lee, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. Any invocation that may be offered before the official start of the Commission meeting shall be the voluntary offering of, a private citizen, to and for the benefit of the Commission. The views or beliefs expressed by the invocation speaker have not been previously reviewed or approved by the Commission, and the Commission is not allowed by law to endorse the religious beliefs or views of this, or any other speaker.

B.

Pledge of Allegiance

C.

Call to Order

D.

Approval of Regular and Consent Agenda

• Recommended Action:

  To approve the Regular and Consent Agenda. 

E.

Announcements

F.

Approval of Recognitions

1.

Presentation of a proclamation recognizing February 24, 2025 through March 2, 2025 as “Hazardous Materials Awareness Week” in Alachua County, Florida - 25-00149

Fiscal Note:
N/A

Strategic Guide:
Environment,

• Recommended Action:

  Read and present proclamation

2.

Presentation of a proclamation recognizing March 9th through March 15th as AmeriCorps Week in Alachua County, Florida - 25-00152

Fiscal Note:
N/A

Strategic Guide:
Social and Economic Opportunity

• Recommended Action:

  Read and present the proclamation

3.

Presentation of a proclamation recognizing March 1st 2025 as Library Support Day in Alachua County, Florida - 25-00153

Fiscal Note:
N/A

Strategic Guide:
Social and Economic Opportunity

• Recommended Action:

  Read and present the proclamation

G.

Board and Committee Items

1.

Equity Advisory Board Annual Presentation - 25-00143

Fiscal Note:
N/A

Strategic Guide:
Social and Economic Opportunity

• Recommended Action:

  Hear presentation

2.

Regional Transit System Advisory Board- County Appointment - 25-00130

Fiscal Note:
N/A

Strategic Guide:
Public Safety, Infrastructure

• Recommended Action:
  1. Appoint Christy Haven to Position #1 and appoint Dennis Underwood to Position #2 (Terms Ending 9/2025 and 9/2026, respectively).
  2. Select and appoint a candidate to Position #3 (Term Ending: 9/2026).

H.

Public Comment

12:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as possible.
Limit comments to 3 minutes on non-agenda items & 3 minutes on agenda items.  Those speaking to items on the agenda cannot speak to them later. For Quasi-Judicial Items, it is best to speak when the item comes up, as the Commission can only consider testimony given at the public hearing.

I.

Action Items

1.

Raises for Sworn Law Enforcement, Certified Detention Officers and Certified Detention Deputies - 25-00121

Fiscal Note:
521 – Law Enforcement $460,921

523 – Jail $ 396,183

711 – Bailiffs $ 72,925

Total - $930,029

BoCC OMB Note: The BoCC added an additional ~$486,000 above the already appropriated raises for all BoCC funded employees to the FY25 budget to allow every certified law enforcement officer to start at $55,000. This additional amount did not include relieving perceived compression. OMB analysis indicates that there should be an adequate budget within lapse salary to cover the request for FY25. We would recommend the FY26 request be included in the FY26 Budget request from ACSO for consideration over the summer. The request to move to $57,500 appears to be ~4.5% request.

Strategic Guide:
Public Safety

• Recommended Action:

  We respectfully ask the Commission to hear the presentation on our proposal to implement a 3.8% raise for Sworn Law Enforcement Officers, Certified Detention Officers, and Certified Detention Deputies, bringing the starting salary to $55,014. At the conclusion of our presentation, we ask that the Commission support our proposal to fund these raises from within our existing budget during the current fiscal year. Additionally, we are asking the Commission to commit to allocating additional funds in the budget for the upcoming fiscal year to not only sustain the above but increase our base salary for these positions to $57,500.

2.

Request to advertise and staff presentation for staff-initiated amendments to the Unified Land Development Code (ULDC). - 25-00134

Fiscal Note:
There is no fiscal impact at this time, the advertisement, if approved, will be published on the County’s “Public Notices” page.

Strategic Guide:
All Other Mandatory and Discretionary Services.

• Recommended Action:

  Hear staff presentation and approve the request to advertise the staff-initiated amendments to the ULDC for a public hearing.

J.

Presentations

1.

Alachua County Comprehensive Plan Evaluation and Update Process Overview - 25-00132

Fiscal Note:
There is no cost associated with this item. The Comprehensive Plan Evaluation and Update will be handled in-house by existing County staff.

Strategic Guide:
All Other Mandatory and Discretionary Services

• Recommended Action:

  Hear presentation and provide direction to staff, if any, on the Comprehensive Plan Evaluation and Update process.

K.

Public Hearings

1.

FY25 Budget Amendment to Reallocate Funds, 25-00127

Fiscal Note:
Budget Amendment:

General Fund - $3,855,088

All Other Funds - $7,294,315

Total Budget Amendment - $11,149,403

FY25 Resulting Amended Budget:

General Fund - $341,116,998

Total All Other Funds - $770,232,716

Total FY25 Amended Budget - $1,111,349,714

Strategic Guide:
All Other Mandatory and Discretionary Services

• Recommended Action:

  Conduct a Public Hearing to Adopt Resolution and Approve Budget Amendment

L.

Items Pulled From Consent

M.

NOTE: This meeting will reconvene at 5:01 PM

N.

Public Hearings

1.

First of two public hearings for a Unified Land Development Code (ULDC) amendment related to small-scale alcoholic beverage production facilities - 25-00128

Fiscal Note:
There is no fiscal impact at this time, as the advertisement will be published on the County’s “Public Notices” page.

Strategic Guide:
Social and Economic Opportunity

• Recommended Action:

  Staff recommends that the Board of County Commissioners hold the first public hearing and authorize staff to bring back the proposed ULDC Amendment ordinance for a second public hearing (adoption) on March 11, 2025.

O.

Quasi-Judicial Public Hearings

1.

Preliminary Development Plan for South Pointe PD – Phase 2, Unit 2 C (quasi-judicial) - 25-00144

Fiscal Note:
None

Strategic Guide:
All Other Mandatory and Discretionary Services

• Recommended Action:

  Approve the proposed Preliminary Development Plan and Resolution DR-25-06 based on a finding of consistency with the Alachua County Comprehensive Plan, the Alachua County Unified Land Development Code, and Resolution Z-06-19/Zoning Master Plan ZOM-06-19.

P.

Closing Comments

1.

Public Comment

Public Comment - 5:30 p.m. (Or at the end of the morning meeting if no evening meeting is scheduled).  Members of the public may only speak during one of the two designated General Comment periods.

2.

County Attorney Comment

3.

County Manager Comment

4.

Commission Comment

Q.

Adjournment

• Recommended Action:

  To adjourn the meeting. 

R.

Consent Items

1.

Clerk of the Court

a.

Request approval of the attached BOCC minutes - 25-00172

Fiscal Note:
N/A

Strategic Guide:
All Other Mandatory and Discretionary Services

• Recommended Action:

  Approve publication of final BOCC minutes

2.

Code Administration Office

a.

Approval Interlocal Agreement for Code Enforcement for the Town of LaCrosse, 25-00168

Fiscal Note:
The County will be charging the City of LaCrosse, or the property owner, $70 per site visit. The County will provide staff and overhead to cover the provision of enforcement. The cost and workload will be periodically reviewed.

Strategic Guide:
Housing, Environment, Public Safety

• Recommended Action:

  Approve the Interlocal Agreement outlining process and costs for code enforcement services for the Town of LaCrosse.

3.

County Manager's Office

a.

Parking Agreement with State Attorney’s Office - 25-00138

Fiscal Note:
There is no fiscal impact at this time.

Strategic Guide:
All Other Mandatory and Discretionary Services

• Recommended Action:

  Approve agreement as presented and authorize the Chair and Clerk to sign.

4.

Environmental Protection

a.

Alachua County Energy Efficiency Program Full Program Contract - 25-00118

Fiscal Note:
Funding for the program was approved on Dec 6, 2022, and is in the account for Revenue Recovery Fund: 052.00.0064.554.82.15 - Project #ARP2021x012 Energy Efficiency & Weatherization.

Strategic Guide:
Housing

• Recommended Action:

  Approve the signing of the contract amendment

b.

Addition of Land Conservation Projects to the Alachua County Forever Active Acquisition List - 25-00137

Fiscal Note:
Total estimated cost for acquisition and 10-year stewardship: $287,255

The current annual property tax revenue of all the project parcels is: $1,214.4

Purchase and maintenance would be funded from the Wild Spaces Public Places surtax.

Additional details can be found in Exhibits 3 and 4.

Strategic Guide:
Environment

• Recommended Action:

  Approve the addition of the following property on the Active Acquisition List.

  1. East Newnans Lake – Putz (Full Price List)

5.

Fire Rescue

a.

First Amendment to the Agreement between Alachua County and Lexipol - 25-00124

Fiscal Note:
The FY25 Adopted budget included $30,308 (091.54.5450.526.52.31 – Operating Supplies Software Non-Capital & 011.54.5480.522.54-80 – Computerized Information) for continuation of services for Year Four. Year Four costs are $31,948.05. There is sufficient budget remaining to cover the additional increase of $1,640.05 for Year Four.

Strategic Guide:
Public Safety

• Recommended Action:

  Approve the First Amendment to the agreement between Alachua County and Lexipol, LLC to extend the term for three (3) years through December 31, 2027

b.

State of Florida Assistance for Drone Replacement Program - 25-00126

Fiscal Note:
The Drone Replacement Program Financial Assistant Agreement grant is a reimbursement grant that will require an interfund loan for cash flow purposes for an amount not to exceed $75,000.00. Alachua County has been approved to relinquish three noncompliant drones to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and is eligible for reimbursement not to exceed $25,000 per compliant drone.

Funds are budgeted under 083.54.5480.522-various, project # 3542508. A resolution and budget amendment to recognize the reimbursement and appropriate the funds is necessary to make the purchases.

Strategic Guide:
Public Safety

• Recommended Action:

  Adopt the Resolution Amending the FY25 Adopted Budget, approve the Budget Amendment (2025-00001174), and authorize an Interfund Loan not to exceed $75,000.00

6.

Procurement

a.

Award and Agreement with HGS LLC d/b/a RES Environmental Operating Company, LLC (14486) for an Unsolicited Proposal Response (RFP) 25-500-LC Public Private Partnership for Newnans Lake Watershed Restoration for Environmental Protection. - 25-00159

Fiscal Note:
Environmental Protection has allocated $1,500,000.00 in the FY25 departmental budget for this project. $1,100,000 in grant funding from FDEP and $400,000 in matching funds from the departmental budget. Additional funding will be contingent on grants, match and legislative appropriations.

Project #3245502 Newnan’s Lake Hydrologic Restoration Project

Water Conservation Fund: 260.55.5511.537.31.00 $1,100,000

Stormwater Management Fund: 146.55.5511.537.31.00 $400,000

Strategic Guide:
Environment

• Recommended Action:

  Approve the Award and authorize the Chair to execute Agreement with HGS LLC d/b/a RES Environmental Operating Company, LLC (14486), not to exceed (NTE) $1,100,000.00, for RFP 25-500-LC Public Private Partnership for Newnans Lake Watershed Restoration for Environmental Protection.

b.

Agreement with True North Consulting Group, LLC d/b/a TNCG (14581)for Request for Proposal (RFP) 24-509 Alachua County ITS Penetration (PEN) Test for Information & Telcom Services. - 25-00167

Fiscal Note:
ITS has $100,000.00 budgeted in 001.16.1620.519.31.00 (Tech Investment-Professional Services)

Strategic Guide:
All Other Mandatory and Discretionary Services

• Recommended Action:

  Approve and authorize the Chair to execute Agreement with True North Consulting Group, LLC d/b/a TNCG (14581) in the amount not to exceed (NTE) $66,970.00, for RFP 24-509 Alachua County ITS Penetration (PEN) Test, for Information & Telcom Services.

c.

Agreement with Safe Air Corporation (14531) for Request for Proposal (RFP) 25-514-LC Purchase and Installation of Vehicle Exhaust System for Fire Rescue Stations. - 25-00156

Fiscal Note:
Alachua County received the FY22 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Award for $628,050.00 (080.54.5400.522.62.00 Building). The Federal Share of 90% is $570,954.54 (080.54.5480.331.2000 Intergovernmental Revenue) and the required local match of 10% is $57,095.46 and has already been transferred into Fund 080. The total available budget for this purchase is $628,051, 080.54.5400.522.62.00 - Buildings. The total cost is below the original estimate at $589,710.00.

Strategic Guide:
Public Safety

• Recommended Action:

  Approve and authorize the Chair to execute the Agreement with Safe Air Corporation (14531), in the amount of $589,710.00 for RFP 25-514-LC Purchase and Installation of Vehicle Exhaust System for Fire Rescue Stations.

7.

Public Works

a.

Two Public Access Easements across a Portion of Tax Parcel Number 06233-014-005 and 06233-000-000 for access to a pedestrian path and NW 97th Boulevard Extension. - 25-00117

Fiscal Note:
There could be recording fees associated with the easements accounted for and budgeted in account 149.79.7910.541.49.00 in the operating category under the account description of other current charges and obligations.

Strategic Guide:
All Other

• Recommended Action:

  That the Board adopt the resolution authorizing the acceptance of the two public access easements and execute the easements.

8.

Solid Waste & Resource Recovery

a.

Thirteenth Amendment to Agreement #9675 between Alachua County and GFL Solid Waste Southeast, LLC for Solid Waste, Recyclable Materials, and Yard Trash Collection. - 25-00142

Fiscal Note:
The collection of curbside solid waste is funded through a non-ad valorem assessment in fund 148 with the fund description of MSBU Refuse Collection. There is approximately $4,800,000.00 budgeted in account 148.76.7600.534.43.00 with the account description of utility services for expenses attributed to this collection agreement.

Strategic Guide:
Environment

• Recommended Action:

  Approve the Thirteenth Amendment to Agreement #9675 between Alachua County and GFL Solid Waste Southeast, LLC for Solid Waste, Recyclable Materials, and Yard Trash Collection

9.

Tourism & Economic Development

a.

Tourist Development Council Member Removal, 25-00184

Fiscal Note:
N/A

Strategic Guide:
All Other Mandatory and Discretionary Services

• Recommended Action:

  Remove Tourist Development Council member Ray Logan, for cause

S.

Notation for Record

1.

Historical Commission Advisory Committee Minutes of November 4, 2024 - 25-00148

Fiscal Note:
N/A

Strategic Guide:
All Other Mandatory and Discretionary Services

• Recommended Action:

  No action necessary. For informational purposes only.

T.

Notice of Upcoming Meetings

Below is the link to the most up-to-date Alachua County Meetings & Events Calendar.
https://alachuacounty.us/events/Pages/default.aspx