Alachua County Board of County Commissioners

Minutes

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County Administration Building - Jack Durrance Auditorium
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 

Rev Catherine Dearlove provided the Invocation.

Chair Alford called the meeting to order at 11:30am.

County Manager Lieberman requested the following Changes to the agenda:

- Items 4A and 11A be pulled under section H items pulled from consent

-Item 8B be moved to the first meeting in May

Commissioner Prizzia Moved adoption of the Regular and Consent Agenda with the recommended changes from the County Manager. 

2nd Commissioner Cornell

 

The Board recognized Ms. Caputo who presented comments. 

 

The motion carried 5-0. 

Communications Director, Mark Sexton, presented the following announcements:

- The County now offers hearing assistance devices to citizens during the meeting, just ask the clerk for a device if needed. 

- The Housing Resource Fair is coming up April 29th 5:30-7:00pm at the Cone Park Library at 2801 East University Avenue in Gainesville. 

- The communications team will be testing a live broadcast of the meeting on YouTube as an additional way for citizens to watch the meeting.

- The Countys legal notice system is up and running. There will be a banner on the county website where citizens can click on it to view all current legal notices.   

- Saturday June 1st from 1:00- 3:00pm there will be an event from the Community Remembrance Project. There will be a program, food, entertainment, and an unveiling of the soils collected.  

- A video was played displaying Betsy Riley in the SEEDS program discussing the Alachua County Solar Panels. 

- A video was played displaying the renaming and dedication of Santa Fe Lake Park as the Jill McGuire Lake.

- The 2024 Fierce award made to honor inspirational women who have changed the landscape of our community through their entrepreneurial, charitable or executive work was presented to County Manager Michele Lieberman as one of the winners.  

Commissioner Cornell moved approval all Proclamations on the agenda.

2nd Commissioner Chestnut

The motion carried 5-0.

Commissioner Chestnut presented the above Proclamation Declaring May 5th - May 11th, 2024, as Corrections/Detention Employees Appreciation Week.

Sherrif Emery Gainey presented comments and accepted the proclamation along with ASO staff. 

  • Proclaim May 5th through May 11th Corrections/Detention Employees Appreciation Week

Commissioner Wheeler presented the above proclamation declaring May 15th, 2024, as Peace Officers Memorial Day and May 15th - May 21st, 2024, as National Police Week in Alachua County. 

 

Sheriff Gainey accepted the above proclamation and presented comments. 

 

Commissioner Cornell exits meeting at 12:02pm

Commissioner Cornell returns to meeting at 12:05pm

  • Proclaim May 15th , 2024 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and May 15th through 21st, 2024, as National Police Week in Alachua County, Florida

Commissioner Prizzia presented the above proclamation declaring April 2024, as Fair Housing Month in Alachua County, Florida. 

 

Aaron Kelly and staff accepted the above proclamation and presented comments. 

  • Proclaim April 2024, as Fair Housing Month in Alachua County, Florida

Aaron Kelly, Chair of the Human Rights Board presented the above item to the Board giving them a brief update. 

 

Commissioner Wheeler, Jacqueline Chung EO Director, Commissioner Prizzia, Commissioner Cornell, and Chair Alford presented comments. 

 

Commissioner Cornell moved to accept the report.

2nd Commissioner Chestnut

The motion carried 5-0.

  • Accept the report.

Jaye Athy, CAPPS/Choices program manager presented comments to the Board. 

Chair Alford recognized Dr. Leilani Doty, Ayana Archer, and Amanda Reed who expressed their desire to serve on the Health Care Advisory Board.

 

Commissioner Cornell moved to appoint Frank Catalanotto as Dentist/Oral Health Services Provider representative, and Ayana Archer as Mental Health Professional representative for a term ending April 29, 2026, and Catherine Striley as representative low income or Medicaid eligible consumer for a term ending April 29, 2025, and ask staff to bring back in a year that applicant, hopefully having additional applicants in the representative low income or Medicaid eligible consumer category. 

2nd Commissioner Wheeler

The motion carried 5-0.

 

Deputy Clerk Miller called on each Commissioner for their nominations in the Doctor or Nurse category to the Health Advisory Board. 

 

Commissioner Cornell, Commissioner Prizzia, Commissioner Chestnut and Chair Alford nominated Leilani Doty.

Commissioner Wheeler nominated Amanda Reed. 

 

Commissioner Cornell moved to appoint Dr. Leilani Doty as Doctor or Nurse representative to a term ending April 29,2026.

2nd Commissioner Prizzia

The motion carried 5-0. 

 

Deputy Clerk Miller called on each Commissioner for their nominations to appoint two alternate positions. Appointing one applicant to a term ending April 29, 2025, and one Applicant to a term ending April 29, 2026. 

 

Commissioner Chestnut, Commissioner Prizzia, Commissioner Cornell, and Commissioner Wheeler nominated Amanda Reed and Jessica Forbes.

Chair Alford nominated Amanda Reed and Rhea Paramoo. 

 

Commissioner Cornell moved to appoint Amanda Reed for a term ending April 29, 2026, and applicant Jessica Forbes for a term ending April 29, 2025.

2nd Commissioner Wheeler

The motion carried 5-0. 

  • Consider the applications and appoint advisory board members for dentist/oral care provider, doctor/nurse, mental health professional, representative of low income or Medicaid eligible consumers, and two alternates

Chair Alford will give everyone 2mins to speak. 

Chair Alford recognized Khali Blount, Tess Markin, Charlotte Head, Dan Richman, Nicole Reddick, Laurie Schiffbauer, Pastor Michale Griffin, Robata Slaun, Francis Alford, Darryl Alford, Dr. Bushire Algood, Jeffrey Cobb, Terrie Forman, Marlon Bruce, Latoya, Armondo Gundy, Cesar Moya, Stephen, Maria, Abigail Fletcher, Sandra Ervins, Leaha Cohen, Jasmine Hall, Christina, Professor Paul Ortiz, Telford Cartwright, Amber, Ashley Askew, Maryclaire Jackson, Farah, Bill, Mark Larson, Robby, Bill Gracie, Richard Gorden, and Patricia Lee who presented comments.

 

Commissioner Cornell exits meeting at 1:00pm

Commissioner Cornell returns to meeting at 1:02pm

Commissioner Cornell exits meeting at 1:05pm 

Commissioner Cornell returns to meeting at 1:06pm

 

Chair Alford exits meeting at 1:22pm

Chair Alford returns to meeting at 1:26pm

 

Commissioner Prizzia, Commissioner Cornell, County Attorney Torres, Commissioner Wheeler, and Chair Alford presented comments.

 

Commissioner Prizzia, and Land Conservation Manager Andi Christman presented comments

 

Commissioner Prizzia moved to accept the grant that as such time that the mine is closed and the reclamation plan has been submitted to DEP, the County can continue the process of seeking the rest of the money that the county would be need for a bargain share and pursuing purchase. 

2nd Commissioner Wheeler

Commissioner Wheeler, Commissioner Cornell, Chair Alford, Commissioner Wheeler, Land Conservation manager Andi Christman, County Manager Lieberman, Commissioner Prizzia, Commissioner Wheeler, County Manager Lieberman, Commissioner Cornell and Chair Alford all presented comments. 

 

The motion carried 5-0.

    1. Approve and authorize the Chair to sign the Grant Contract Agreement LPS0089 between Alachua County and the FDEP (Exhibit 1); and
    2. Approve budget amendment for grant award and project budget (Exhibit 2); and
    3. Authorize the County Manager to execute all related documents and amendments as needed to receive grant approval and administer the grant, except any contract to purchase the land shall require BOCC approval.

Tourism Development Director Jessica Hurov, and Jason Maurer the Parks Director presented the above item. 

Commissioner Prizzia, Parks Director Jason Maurer, Commissioner Cornell, Commissioner Prizzia, Chair Alford, Parks Director Jason Maurer, Commissioner Prizzia, Commissioner Cornell, and Chair Alford all presented comments. 

 

Commissioner Prizzia moved accept the tourism development funding for the $500,000 for the rotary park at Jonesville Capital Improvements and that the County use wild spaces public places funding for the A&E for pickleball courts and additional parking, as well as the stadium. 

2nd Commissioner Cornell

 

Commissioner Cornell, Chair Alford, Commissioner Prizzia, and Parks Director Jason Maure presented comments. 

 

Commissioner Prizzia moved to alter the above motion as follows:

-To approve the TDT for the stadium

- To approve the use of new wild spaces public places funding and project savings funding to fund the A&E and the construction of the pickleball courts, the parking and other improvements at the Jonesville Park

2nd Commissioner Cornell

The motion carried 5-0.

 

  • Approve $500,000 of Tourist Development Tax reserves for authorized uses for Rotary Park at Jonesville capital improvements. Make the legislative factual determination that sporting activities at this Park supports the advancement of tourism and serve a public purpose in Alachua County. Authorize staff to pay for capital improvements related to the project up to $500,000 from Tourist Development fund.

Supervisor of Elections Kim Barton, Aaron Klein, Director of Communication and Outreach, and Carl presented the above item to the Board.  

 

Chair Alford exits the meeting at 2:26pm

Chair Alford returns to meeting at 2:33pm

 

Outreach: Objectives for 2024

- A multi-faceted email, digital, and in person campaign to encourage student voters to update their voting address prior to the General Election.

- New Marketing and outreach partnerships with UF President Ben Sasse and his administration 

- Educating the public about changes to election procedures, including ballot-on-demand and new early voting locations 

- Maximizing presence across all nine municipalities through partnerships with community partners

- Recruiting new election workers to assist with the Primary and General elections. 

 

Early Voting in Alachua County

Beginning with the 2024 Primary Election there will be eight proposed locations:

- Supervisor of Elections Office

- Millhopper Branch Library 

- J. Wayne Reitz Union

- Tower Road Branch Library 

- Alachua County Agriculture and Equestrian Center

- Legacy Park Multipurpose center

- Hawthorne Community Center

- Santa Fe College NW Campus

 

Commissioner Wheeler, Commissioner Cornell, Supervisor of Elections Kim Barton, Commissioner Prizzia, Commissioner Cornell, Commissioner Chestnut, Supervisor of Elections Kim Barton, Commissioner Wheeler, Commissioner Cornell, Commissioner Prizzia, Commissioner Chestnut, and Chair Alford all presented comments. 

 

  • Hear presentation

Blaire Knighting with Kimley Horn presented the above item to the Board.

 

Commissioner Prizzia, Blaire Knighting, Chair Alford, Commissioner Cornell, Commissioner Chestnut, Blaire Knighting, Principal Planner Chris Dawson, and Chair Alford presented comments. 

 

Commissioner Cornell moved staff recommendations and authorized the request to advertise. Also to review the Partners in flight regulations to see if they correspond and bring it back to the Board if there is something substantial that needs to be changed in order to protect the bird's flight.   (3:53) (Alford add to motion 3:56)

2nd Commissioner Prizzia 

The motion carried 5-0. 

  • Staff recommends that the Board of County Commissioners hear the presentation and authorize the request to advertise.

Commissioner Cornell moved staff recommendations to approve all 6 Surtax Grant Applications submitted by the City of Waldo, and authorize the Alachua County Chair and Clerk to execute a grant agreement for each application using the form grant agreement attached to this agenda item.

2nd commissioner Chestnut

The motion carried 5-0.

  • Pursuant to Ordinance 2022-08, approve all 6 Surtax Grant Applications submitted by the City of Waldo, and authorize the Alachua County Chair and Clerk to execute a grant agreement for each application using the form grant agreement attached to this agenda item.

Commissioner Cornell moved staff recommendations to approve the MOU.

2nd Commissioner Wheeler

The motion carried 5-0.

Commissioner Prizzia presented comments. 

  • Approve the MOU.

Commissioner Cornell moved staff recommendations to approve the option contract with St. Francis House, Inc.

2nd Commissioner Prizzia

 

County Manager Lieberman, Commissioner Prizzia, Claudia Tuck, County Manager Lieberman, Chair Alford, Laurie Director of St. Francis house, Commissioner Wheeler, Chair Alford, and Laurie Director of St. Francis house all presented comments.

 

The motion carried 5-0.

  • Instruct staff on whether to proceed with Option Contract with St. Francis House, Inc.

Procurement Manager TJ White presented the above item to the Board. 

 

Commissioner Prizzia moved staff recommendations with a request to notate that the auto insurance is only as needed.    

2nd Commissioner Cornell

The motion carried 5-0.

  • Adopt ordinance, as attached, to amend a portion of Chapter 22 of the Alachua County Code of Ordinances, known as the “Alachua County Procurement Code” regarding the Small Business Enterprise Program.

Public Works Director Ramon Gavarrete presented the above item to the Board. 

 

Commissioner Prizzia presented comments.

 

Commissioner Cornell moved for the Board to approve the Resolution to create a district for Tara Verde Phase 1 and 2 and authorize the Chair to sign the Resolution. 

2nd Commissioner Chestnut 

 

Commissioner Cornell presented comments. 

 

The motion carried 5-0. 

  • The Board approve the Resolution to create a District for Tara Verde Phase 1 and 2 and authorize the Chair to sign the Resolution

Commissioner Cornell moved to approve the Resolution to create a Special Improvement District for Tara Larga Phase 1 and Phase 2 and authorize the Chair to sign the Resolution. 

2nd Commissioner Chestnut

The motion carried 5-0.

  • The Board approve the Resolution to create a Special Improvement District for Tara Larga Phase 1 and Phase 2 and authorize the Chair to sign the Resolution

Commission Recessed at 3:51pm

Commission Reconvened at 5:01pm

Michelle Lieberman gave a introduction of the above item describing the contest the students participated in. 

The winners represent 31 out of 641 participants.

 

The Board and Chair Alford presented awards recognizing all 31 winners of the 2024 saving my Alachua environmental art contest and calendar winner. 

 

Chair Alford, Commissioner Wheeler, Commissioner Prizzia, Commissioner Chestnut, Commissioner Cornell, and Chair Alford all presented comments.  

  • Recognize winners of the 2024 “Saving My Alachua” Environmental Art Contest and Calendar

There were no comments presented. 

There were no comments presented. 

County Manager Lieberman asked the Board for their preference on if they would like the legacy property and the update to the affordable housing plan on the regular agenda or would they prefer that on the first special meeting in June. 

The Board would like them both to be on the May 28th regular meeting. 

Commissioner Wheeler stated Terwilliger Elementary is coming up for sale and that might be a possible option for housing rather than tearing it down. 

Commissioner Prizzia stated an email was received from Mr. Whitehead who spoke at the Gun Violence Prevention meeting held with the City of Gainesville. Mr. Whitehead sent a proposal in the email, and she has asked for an opportunity for him to present to the Board. Commissioner would like to give Mr. Whitehead an opportunity to present at a joint meeting possibly with the Children's Trust.  Commissioner also would like to get an update on the comprehensive literacy assessment for both agendas. 

 

Commissioner Cornell inquired about what items will be discussed on the agenda in the joint meeting with the Children's Trust. Commissioner stated in the strategic plan CTAC has allocated a million dollars for safety in the current year and the majority of that money is being used for mentor groups. CTAC is also hiring more employees to help with the programming. a big unallocated portion in the current budget relates to safety. There is maybe half a million of unallocated money which commissioner believes should be considered in the joint meeting. Commissioner stated if CTAC does not have the capacity they should think of possibly partnering with the County, the City or small cities to get help with that one-time money. 

 

Chair Alford stated she has received emails from the organizers of the Newberry Watermelon Festival and wanted to know if anyone would be attending. Commissioner wanted to know if there is a way to look into how items are titled into the agenda system. 

There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 5:57 p.m.

  • To adjourn the meeting. 

  • Accept the Constitutional Officers’ Quarterly Reports of Budget to Actual Expenditures for FY 2024 Quarter 2.

  • Approve publication of final BOCC minutes

  • Approve the special pay requests and approve and authorize the County Manager to sign the Master Subscription Agreement and Order Forms, as attached, with Benevate, Inc. doing business as Neighborly Software.

  • Approve the Memorandum of Understanding and Authorize the Chair to execute it.

  • Approve the County Attorney’s authority to initiate or defend the attached list of cases.

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

    1.Hasan Flatwoods – Holt / Woitas Trustee (Bargain Share List)

    2.Lochloosa Creek Flatwoods – Samuel & Samuel (Full Price List)

  • Approve the amendment and authorize Chair to sign the amendment.

  • Approve and authorize the Chair to sign the agreement with FDEP; approve the Budget Amendment and Resolution for Unanticipated Revenue; and approve an inter-fund loan in the amount of $250,000.

  • Appoint Amy Fox to the Residential Rental Manager position and appoint Patricia Lee to the Alternate position on the Human Rights Board.

  • Approve and sign the Small Project Completion and Certification Form for the COVID related FEMA public assistance projects.

  • The Development Review Committee reviewed the Plats for Phases 1 and 2 at the March 28, 2024 hearing and recommended approval of the Plats to the BoCC based on a finding of consistency with Florida Statutes, the Alachua County Comprehensive Plan, and the Alachua County Unified Land Development Code. The plat is recordable once the Special Improvement District is approved.

  • The Development Review Committee reviewed the Plats for Phases 1 and 2 at its March 28, 2024 hearing and recommended approval of the Plats to the BoCC based on a finding of consistency with Florida Statutes, the Alachua County Comprehensive Plan, and the Alachua County Unified Land Development Code. The plat is recordable once the Special Improvement District is approved.

  • Approve and authorize the Chair to execute the following Addendum Agreements for On-Call Plumbing Services, NTE $200,000.00 per project:

    Addendum Agreement 14182 with Balanced Mechanical & Plumbing Services, LLC for On-Call Plumbing Services

    Addendum Agreement 14183 with Coker Industrial Contractors, Inc. for On-Call Plumbing Services

    Addendum Agreement 14184 with Comfort Temp Company for On-Call Plumbing Services

    Addendum Agreement 14185 with C. Pearson Contracting, Corp. for On-Call Plumbing Services

    Addendum Agreement 14186 with Double H Construction, Inc. for On-Call Plumbing Services

    Addendum Agreement 14187 with SI Goldman Company, Inc. for On-Call Plumbing Services

    Addendum Agreement 14188 with Sunshine Construction, LLC for On-Call Plumbing Services

    Addendum Agreement 14189 with WH Construction, LLC for On-Call Plumbing Services

    Addendum Agreement 14190 with WW Gay Mechanical Contractors of Gainesville, Inc. for On-Call Plumbing Services

  • Approve the Award and issuance of a Purchase Order to Joseph Hoffman Construction LLC d/b/a JH Construction for BID 24-475 Temporary Fire Station Metal Building in Micanopy, in the amount of $128,250.00.

  • Approve and authorize the Chair to execute Agreement 14142 with Salter Feiber for RFP 24-225 Annual Closing Agent Services, not to exceed $750,000.00 per fiscal year.

  • Approve and authorize the Chair to execute the following amendments for RFP 23-151 Annual Social Marketing Campaign Development and General Public Education Services, not to exceed $450,000.00 annually:

    First Amendment 13499 with Frankel Media Group, LLC

    First Amendment 13500 with Uppercase Inc.

  • Approve the Award and authorize the Chair to execute Agreement 13953 with Custom Construction Solutions, Inc. for Bid 23-439 Raised Crosswalks at SW 61st Street and SW 8th Avenue, for a total fiscal impact of $218,576.05.

  • Approve the issuance of a purchase order to Anixter Inc., in the amount of $79,546.00.

  • Approve and authorize the Chair to execute the following agreements for RFP 24-23 Annual Professional Surveying Services:

    Agreement 14135 with EDA Consultants Inc.

    Agreement 14215 with Causseaux Hewett & Walpole, LLC

    Agreement 14216 with George F. Young, Inc.

  • That the Board adopt the proposed resolution to set a date and time to hold a public hearing to consider vacating the plat of Seminole Pines and authorizing the County staff to advertise the same.

  • Approve the acquisition of the property located at 11208 NW 14th Avenue, Alachua County, FL for demolition and use as a storm water basin, authorize the Chair to sign the Purchase Agreement for Property, acceptance of the Deed, Dedication to Public Use and Declaration of Restrictive Covenants, any other documents, approved by the County Attorney, necessary to complete the acquisition, approve resolution for unanticipated revenues with budget amendment and inter fund loan.

  • No Action necessary. For Informational purposes only.

  • No action necessary. For informational purposes only.

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