Alachua County Special Meeting

Minutes

Thursday, August 08, 2024 at 1:30 P.m. - 2:30 P.m.

County Administration Building - Grace Knight Conference Room

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

Present:

• Chair Mary Alford, 
• Vice Chair Charles S. Chestnut, IV, 
• Commissioner Ken Cornell, 
• Commissioner Anna Prizzia, 
• and Commissioner Marihelen Wheeler 

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A.

Approval of Agenda

Chair Alford Called the meeting to order at 1:30pm with the request to remove item #2 Enforcement of school zone speed limits to a future meeting because the Sheriff is unable to attend the meeting and there has been changes.

Commissioner Cornell moved approval of the agenda removing item number two and postponing it to a later meeting. 

2nd Commissioner Wheeler

The motion carried 5-0.

• To approve the Agenda. 

B.

Items for Discussion

1.

FY25 Budget Development Departmental Review 1 - 24-00693

Budget Manager Maureen Rischitelli presented the above item to the Board.  

 

County Manager Budget Request:

• Recommendation to reduce General County Millage Rate from 7.6414 Mils to 7.6180 Mils.
• Recommendation for MSTU-Law Enforcement Millage Rate to remain at 3.5678 Mils.
• Total County Manager Budget $806,653,893

General Fund:

• Final Property Valuation: $23,401,116,914 which is 10.17% increase over last year’s valuation
• FY25 General Fund Millage Rate 7.6180
•  @95% Generates $169,356,224
•  $15,157,796 more than FY24 Adopted Budget

MSTU Law Enforcement:

• Final Property Valuation: $9,632,405,257 which is 10.71% increase over last year’s valuation
• FY25 MSTU Law Enforcement Millage Rate 3.5678
• @95% Generates $32,648,172
• $3,158,253 more than FY24 Adopted Budget
• Note: Law Enforcement is funded 54% MSTU-LE & 46% General Fund

 Fire Assessment - Remains the Same 
• Tier 1 $90.69 per Equivalent Benefit Unit (EBU).
• Tier 2 $8.31 per EBU

FY25 fire assessment is estimated at $23,336,272 million, an increase of $2,900,777 million

Sugarfoot Assessment
• Remains the same at $10.00 per month per household.

Stormwater Assessment
• $10.00 increase per Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) to $60.00.
• Increases cover employee cost and increase cost for upcoming projects.

• The Stormwater Assessment fee serves both environmental protection and road projects.
• FY25 stormwater assessment is estimated at $2,928,953 an increase of $461,799.

 Solid Waste Assessments
• Tipping Fee Increase from $57.00 to $65.00.

• FY25 Tipping fees revenues is estimated at $13,172,663 an increase of $1,487,663.

 

Assistant County Manager Chief of Staff Gina Peebles reviewed revenues, expenses and budget request for the following departments:

 

Community & Administrative Services

– Equal Opportunity Office
– UF/IFAS/AG Extension
– Visit Gainesville/Tourism
– Economic Development*
• Revenues: $20,444,050
• Expenses: $18,223,191
• Budget Requests: 
 1.0 FTE Grant Specialist for $93,436 
*Economic Development Related Costs will move 
from SEED’s budget and included are 2 new 
positions: 1.0 FTE Sr. Office Director and 1.0 FTE 
Agriculture & Rural Development Coordinator = 
$307,059

 

Career Source

• Revenues: $3,226,926
• Expenses: $3,093,290
• Budget Requests: $0

 

Information & Telecommunication Services
• Revenues: $328,000
• Expenses: $10,655,106
• Budget Requests: $0

 

Parks & Open Space
• Revenues: $940,730
• Expenses: $12,724,772
• Budget Requests: $685,688
– 1.0 FTE Parks Maintenance Worker
– Master Plan Community Equipment and Operating
– Fund Vacant Parks and Open Space Manager
– Cuscowilla Security Cameras Installation
– Cuscowilla Parking Lot Lighting Equipment requested will be part of financing issuance 1 bus $213,262.

 

Chair Alford, Commissioner Wheeler, Parks Director Jason Maurer, County Manager Lieberman, and Commissioner Prizzia all presented comments. 

 

Assistant County Manager Missy Daniels reviewed the following departments and their budget with the Board:

 Growth Management
• Revenues: $4,442,087
• Expenses: $6,745,129
• Budget Requests: $141,880
– 1.0 FTE GIS Manager

 

Code Administration
• Revenues: $107,000
• Expenses: $1,382,065
• Budget Requests: $140,560
– 1.0 FTE Educational and Outreach Coordinator

 

Solid Waste & Resource Recovery
• Revenues: $38,315,003
• Expenses: $29,823,478
• Budget Requests: $30,002
– Replacement Tour Trolley
– Illegal Dumping Disposal Fee Waivers

 

Public Works
• Revenues: $42,849,715
• Expenses: $61,605,081
• Budget Requests: $79,200
– Portable Radar Traffic Data Recorder
– (12.0) FTE Elimination of FY24 Roadway Construction Crew
– Equipment requested 1 Skid Steer, 2 Mini Excavators and 1 Vehicle for engineering will be part of financing issuance. Total $459,748

 

Chair Alford, Assistant County Manager Missy Daniels, County Manager Lieberman, Commissioner Prizzia, Assistant County Manager Missy Daniels, Growth Management Director Jeff Hays, Director of Solid Waste & Resource Recovery Guss Olmos, Commissioner Wheeler, Chair Alford, Commissioner Cornell, Public Works Director Ramon Gavarrette, Commissioner Wheeler, Chair Alford, and County Manager Lieberman all presented comments.  

 

Commissioner Cornell exits meeting at 2:37pm

Commissioner Cornell returns to meeting 2:38pm

 

Assistant County Manager Missy Daniels Briefly discussed the 301 Corridor.

 

301 Corridor- Eastern County Community Needs Assessment

The study area includes, but is not limited to, the municipalities of Hawthorne, Waldo, and Micanopy and 
the unincorporated communities of Monteocha, Melrose, Island Grove, and rural clusters. 

• Total Population – 18,665
• Total Acreage – 210,373
• Square Miles – 594
• Residential Units – 6,799
• Commercial Acreage – 594
• Agricultural Acreage- 134,555

 

The project will be broken up into three phases.

Phase 1 Community Profile:

FY24-FY25 BoCC Staff Led 
• Develop a draft study area map for Board approval
• Identify existing data relevant to the Needs Assessment - demographics, housing, transportation, environmental factors
• Comprehensive Outreach Plan with Critical Stakeholders - public input, gathering information from Community Health Workers, Contact with Clients, Surveys, Community Meetings
• Kick-Off Meeting - in Hawthorne
• Develop Scope of Work and RFP for consultants going into FY26
• Report Initial Findings to the Board 

Budget Considerations:

• Community Engagement Meetings: Map Development, Public Relations, Printed Materials for Distribution $10,000
• Survey Software $40,000
• Consultants $100,000

Commissioner Wheeler, Commissioner Prizzia, Economic Development manager Sean McLendon, Chair Alford, and Assistant County manager Missy Daniels all presented comments. 

 

Commissioner Cornell exits meeting at 2:49pm

Commissioner Cornell returns to meeting at 2:50pm

 

Phase 2 Economic & Social Service Assessment:

FY26 Consultants & Staff Led
• Social Services Needs and Economic Development Assessment
• Climate Change Vulnerability Correlation

Budget Considerations:

• Consultants $400,000 TBD based upon breadth of scope.

 

Phase 3 Final Report:

Consultant Generated
• Mid-Project Report to the Board
• Develop a grant-ready strategy to address identified needs. 
• Identify Grant Funding Opportunities
• Identify Non-Grant eligible funding needs
• Final Report and Recommendation

Budget Considerations:

• To be estimated
• Economic Development Incentives
• Transportation
• Education
• Social Service Needs

 

Commissioner Cornell, Commissioner Prizzia, and Chair Alford presented comments. 

 

Commissioner Cornell moved to include the entire area in the presented map for the 301 study.

2nd Commissioner Prizzia

The motion carried 5-0.

 

Public Comment

Chair Alford recognized Tamara Robbins who presented comments.

• Provide direction to staff for any adjustment to the County Manager’s budget or proposed millage rates or assessments.

2.

Enforcement of School Zone Speed Limits, 24-00591

This item was not discussed and moved to a future meeting.

• 1) Proceed with advertising the Ordinance related to Enforcement of School Zone Speed Limits.

  2) Direct Staff to draft an Interlocal Agreement between the County and the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office regarding program responsibilities and revenue-sharing.

3.

Request Approval of Manager Authority, Special Pay, and Piggy-Back Agreements with World Sports Turf and Geo Surfaces for West End Improvements, 24-00727

Assistant County Manager Chief of Staff Gina Peebles and Parks Director Jason Maurer presented an update on the above item to the Board. 

 

Chair Alford, Parks Director Jason Maurer, Commissioner Prizzia, Chair Alford, and County Attorney Torres presented comments. 

 

Public Comment

Chair Alford recognized Tamara Robbins who presented comments. 

 

Commissioner Cornell, Commissioner Prizzia, Parks Director Jason Maurer, and Commissioner Wheeler presented comments. 

 

Commissioner Wheeler moved the following:

1. Approve piggy-back agreements with World Sports Turf (Hillsborough County) and Geo Surfaces(TIPS Coop) and instruct the vendor to not use Herbicide.

     3. Approve the Special Pay of $4,595.90 for a skid steer rental which exceeded our $3,500 purchasing threshold for Parks cleanup of the             West End property.

 

The motion carried 5-0.

 

     2. Delegate signature authority to the County Manager for approved expenditures up to the $645,000 of TDT funding for the West End         improvements. Authorize the Manager to approve $50,000+ West End improvements (not to exceed $645,000, so long as it promotes             tourism in Alachua County and is in compliance with the Tourist Development Tax statute). The list of improvements was approved at the     July 9, 2024 Commission meeting.

 

The motion carried 4-1 with Commissioner Cornell voting “Nay”.

• 1. Approve piggy-back agreements with World Sports Turf (Hillsborough County) and Geo Surfaces(TIPS Coop)
  2. Delegate signature authority to the County Manager for approved expenditures up to the $645,000 of TDT funding for the West End improvements. Authorize the Manager to approve $50,000+ West End improvements (not to exceed $645,000, so long as it promotes tourism in Alachua County and is in compliance with the Tourist Development Tax statute). The list of improvements was approved at the July 9, 2024 Commission meeting.
  3. Approve the Special Pay of $4,595.90 for a skid steer rental which exceeded our $3,500 purchasing threshold for Parks cleanup of the West End property.

4.

Tree Protection in Developments, 24-00702

Growth Management Director Jeff Hays presented the above item regarding Tree Protection in Developments to the Board. 

Commissioner Chestnut exits the meeting at 4:39pm

 

Current Natural Resource Protections

• Strategic Ecosystem – up to 50% of upland portion may be preserved
• Surface Waters and Wetlands –entire wetland and wetland buffer
• Significant Habitat- no more than 25% of upland portion of a parcel 
• Significant Geologic Features – requires buffer; typically 75 feet
• Open Space – Conservation Management Area if applicable; then 
10% for residential developments with locational criteria
• Tree Preservation

 

Current Comp Plan – Conservation and Open Space Element

Objective 5.2 – Open Space

• Open Space provided on at least 10 percent of every development (with exceptions)
• Open Space fulfilled first with conservation areas
• Additional Open Space shall be one piece of contiguous land at the periphery of the development to allow for connection to adjacent open space (with exceptions)

Objective 5.4 Vegetation Management
• Policy 5.4.1 Landscaping shall be compatible with the natural environment. Existing on-site vegetation shall be incorporated into landscape plans to the maximum extent practicable, according to the following priorities:…
• Policy 5.4.2 New development shall conserve existing trees and native vegetation by use of sound arboricultural and horticultural practices that provide for the protection and long-term survival of the vegetation, as part of an overall strategy to 
achieve landscape, habitat preservation, and open space requirements. Conservation may entail grading restrictions, vegetation clustering, protective buffers, and density and intensity limitations, consideration of alternative layouts of permitted uses, and similar techniques that provide for the long-term survival of vegetation.
• Policy 5.4.3 The County shall protect trees according to a species-specific hierarchy. Trees shall receive priority for protection based on species, in conjunction with other features including size, age, condition, historic association, and 
uniqueness. Removal or damage of champion trees shall be prohibited, and removal or damage of designated specimen trees shall be avoided, or mitigated if removal or damage cannot be avoided. Specific protections shall be provided in the 
land development regulations.
• Policy 5.4.4 The County shall incorporate native vegetation into the landscaping and provide for continued maintenance of County-owned buildings and grounds.
• Policy 5.4.5 The County shall promote the conservation of native vegetation removed during land-clearing and use of this resource for transplanting and revegetation.

 

Current Tree Code – Retention Requirements

• 20% retention of existing tree canopy for all developments
• 10% retention if 90% of gross density is achieved
• 5% retention 
• TNDs/TODs
• Cottage Neighborhoods
• Affordable Housing 
• 60-inch trees retained unless development cannot occur anywhere else on site or removal is unavoidable

 

Commissioner Prizzia, Commissioner Cornell, Senior Forester and Landscape Inspector Jessica Hong, Chair Alford, Commissioner Prizzia, Commissioner Cornell, and Growth Managment Director Jeff Hays presented comments.  

 

Current Tree Code – Protected Area 

Sec. 406.12.5 (c):
• Protected area equal to drip line of the tree unless larger area is more appropriate
• May be up to two (2) feet diameter of protection for every inch of tree trunk diameter

Example: A 62-inch tree could require up to 124 feet protected area 
(62 ft. radius from the tree)

406.12 (a)(4)
• Retaining more than the minimum is encouraged
• The undisturbed area may be reduced with County approval (50% max)
• No development activity within the root plate

 

Commissioner Prizzia, Chair Alford, Senior Forester and Landscape Inspector Jessica Hong, Growth Managment Director Jeff Hays, and Commissioner Cornell presented comments.  

 

Commissioner Cornell moved the following:

1. Refer to staff to bring back some recommendations on dripline impacts that are allowable without mitigation funds
2. Refer to staff bring back recommendations of what other counties and cities are doing for following up on the monitoring and different time frames. 
3. Bring back a recommendation on how staff would prioritize the hierarchy of trees
4. Refer to staff to bring back a budget and timeline of doing a tree inventory within the urban cluster by the budget cycle
5. Refer to staff for any recommendations to preserve the urban tree canopy 

2nd Commissioner Prizzia

The motion carried 4-0 with Commissioner Chestnut not present. 

 

Public Comment

Chair Alford recognized Kayleigh Toller, Tamara Robbins, John Simpson, and Sergio who presented comments. 

• Hear presentation

C.

Closing Comments

1.

Public Comment

Chair Alford recognized Tamara Robbins (provided documentation) who presented comments. 

2.

Commission Comment

Chair Alford request to cancel the Board discussion meeting on Tuesday 8/13/2024 due to not having any significant items. 

By consensus the Board agreed to Cancel the 8/13/24 discussion meeting. 

Commissioner Prizzia stated there is a DJJ gun violence event happening at Santa Fe August 9th from 10am - 12pm, if anyone is interested in going you are welcome to attend. Also, the Commissioner states she attended the open house of the Eastside Clinic, its beautiful and the facility is really nice. However, the Commissioner still has some concerns regarding pricing, so she has been talking to different people about it and they are waiting on the price list, although upon request all doctor offices can provide estimates.

Commissioner Prizzia moved to write a letter to the administrators at the Eastside Clinic to ask if they would proactively provide estimates to all of the patients that come in so that citizens understand what to expect as far as billing. Also, would like to encourage them to continue pursuing the pharmacy kiosk option and expanding their lab services for citizens.

2nd Commissioner Cornell

The motion carried 4-0 with Commissioner Chestnut not present. 

 

Commissioner Cornell stated that he is considering running for second Vice President for the Florida Association of Counties (FAC) and would like the Board to be aware in case he decides to. 

Chair Alford stated she spent a few days in the EOC and she would like to thank the staff for all of the amazing work they do there. 

 

Manager Comment

County Manager Lieberman stated they are being asked to extend the emergency declaration that expires today. They are still doing damage assessment and watching the river rise. 

 

Commissioner Prizzia moved to extend the emergency declaration for 7 days.

2nd Commissioner Wheeler

The motion carried 4-0 with Commissioner Chestnut not present. 

D.

Adjourn

There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 5:35 p.m.

• To adjourn the meeting.