Alachua County Special Meeting

Minutes

-
Micanopy Town Hall
706 NE Cholokka Boulevard, Micanopy, FL 32667
Present:
  • Commissioner Mary Alford, 
  • Chair Charles S. Chestnut, IV, 
  • Vice Chair Ken Cornell, 
  • Commissioner Anna Prizzia, 
  • and Commissioner Marihelen Wheeler 

A.
Call To Order

 

Chair Chestnut called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.

Bishop Stokes provided the invocation.

Chair Chestnut led the Pledge of Allegiance. 

B.
Welcome

 

C.
Introduction

 

D.
Adoption of the Agenda

 

Commissioner Cornell moved adoption of the agenda as printed. The motion carried 4-0 with Commissioner Wheeler out of the room.

2nd Commissioner Prizzia

Town Commissioner Galloway moved adoption of the agenda. The motion carried 3-0. 

2nd Town Commissioner Massey

E.
Items For Discussion

 

1.
Community Resource Center- Willie Mae Stokes Community Center - 25-00500 - 25-00500

This item has attachments. 
1.Community Resource Center- Willie Mae Stokes Community Center - 25-00500.pdf
2.WillieMaeStokesSurveyResultsHighlights.pdf
3.Item 25-00500 Tucks Community Center_ MicanopyMeeting.pdf
4.2025 Joint Session - Micanopy and ACBCC.pdf

Town Administrator Sara Samario presented the above item.

Commissioner Wheeler entered at 6:06 p.m.

Ms. Samario stated that she would like to share the following current projects that the Town is working on:

  • Water System Upgrades
  • Park improvements
  • Downtown Historic Preservation with Comprehensive Plan Amendments
  • Expansion of the Micanopy Native American Heritage Preserve
  • Advanced Metering infrastructure through a grant
  • Community Redevelopment Study
  • Extension of Fiber Optic Network
  • Community Resource Center

Commissioner Prizzia, Commissioner Wheeler, Bishop Stokes, Commissioner Cornell, Commissioner Alford, Community Support Services Director Claudia Tuck, and Community Stabilization Manager Satori Day presented comments. 

 

2.
Annex Property Update

 

Town Administrator Sara Samario presented the above item. 

Ms. Samario stated that renovations to the residential structure have begun. A fence connecting the property to the existing MNAHP has been installed and conversations with the Alachua Conservation Trust are being had to discuss partnership opportunities. A proposal for offering housing in the residence in exchange for maintenance services is being considered. 

Commissioner Prizzia and Commissioner Wheeler presented comments.

3.
Surtax Joint Partnership Projects - 25-00499

This item has attachments. 
1.Surtax Joint Partnership Projects - 25-00499.pdf
2.Annex Renovation Site Improvements.pdf
3.Fire Station Bay Doors.pdf
4.Water Quality Filtration System.pdf
5.Surtax Ordinance transmittal to DOR via USPS.pdf

Town Administrator Sara Samario presented the above item.

Ms. Samario stated that the town is working on a Granular Activated Carbon System to filter the drinking water to remove contaminants such as Iron, manganese, and arsenic. This was a good alternative to advanced treatment for the town.

She also stated that the Fire Station Bay Doors needed to be replaced. The Town did this project but would like to include it in the Joint Projects list for funding under that source. 

The cost of the Fire Station repair was $85,000. There will be $35,000 for the Annex Site work and the bulk of the funding will be used for the water quality project.

Commissioner Cornell, Assistant County Manager Gina Peebles, Commissioner Prizzia, Commissioner Wheeler, and Commissioner Alford presented comments. 

The consensus of the County Commission was support for adding the Fire Station Door repair to the joint project list. 

4.
Micanopy CRA Discussion

This item has attachments. 
1.Micanopy_CRA_Case_Study_Presentation.pdf

Town Administrator Sara Samario presented the above item.

Ms. Samario stated that the town is working with the University of Florida on a case study for the planning needs of the town. The Town would like to pursue a Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) to assist with funding of the needs of the town. Key planning needs are the following:

  • Stormwater management systems
  • Sewer and utility upgrades
  • Context-sensitive infill or revitalization
  • Zoning and preservation compatibility

Commissioner Wheeler, Commissioner Alford, Commissioner Cornell, Town Commissioner Wiliams, and Commissioner Prizzia presented comments. 

Commissioner Prizzia moved request that the EPD Department follow up with the Town of Micanopy on opportunities for funding for septic transitions. The motion carried 5-0.

2nd Commissioner Cornell

F.
Public Comment

 

Chair Chestnut recognized Monica Fowler, Stephanie Barnes, and Arron Weber who presented comments.

G.
Commission General Comments and Information Discussion

 

1.
County Commission Comment

 

Commissioner Alford thanked the Town for having the Commission out this evening and the residents who participated in the meeting.

Commissioner Prizzia stated it was great hearing from everyone, and she definitely wants to see how the County can help support the Community Center which is providing vitally needed services to the town and surrounding residents. 

Commissioner Wheeler stated that she was impressed with all the activity in the town being balanced with the environmental and historical preservation efforts in the town. 

Commissioner Cornell stated that he remembers a time when the Town Commission did not want to meet with the County. He stated that he loves the collaboration between the Town and the County. He stated that the relationship is strong and will benefit both parties. 

Chair Chestnut thanked the Town and County staff for the work to make this meeting happen. He wanted the town to know that they can depend on the County to support it in its endeavors. 

2.
Town Commission Comment

 

Town Commissioner Williams inquired when Highway 234 past the portion scheduled to be worked on would be completed. He further invited the County Commission to attend the greatest 4th of July parade here in Micanopy.

Assistant Public Works Director Brian Kauffman stated that the segment of road is not currently in the road project list for pavement. 

Town Commissioner Galloway stated that she has lived in Micanopy her whole life and she thanked the County for their efforts in assisting the town with their initiatives. She also thanked the town staff for the tremendous work being done. Ms. Galloway informed the Board that the town has initiated a potluck to engage the community and invited the County Commissioners to attend.

Town Commissioner Putansu stated thanked the County Commission for visiting for being good partners with the town.

H.
Adjourn

 

There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 7:27 p.m.

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