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 

Pastor Gerard Duncan provided the Invocation.

Chair Alford led the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Chair Alford called the meeting to order at 11:33 a.m.

Deputy County Manager Smart advised the Board that there will be an item walked on during County Manager Comments regarding a Right of Entry Agreement. 

Commissioner Cornell moved adoption of the Regular and Consent Agenda as printed with the addition of the walk on item as presented by the Deputy County Manager.

2nd Commissioner Chestnut

Chair Alford recognized Kali Blount, County Attorney Torres, Deputy County Manager Smart, and Assistant County Manager Daniels who presented comments to the Board. 

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

The motion carried 4-0 with Commissioner Wheeler out of the room. 

Communications Director, Mark Sexton, presented the following announcements:

  • Mr. Sexton demonstrated the County's new contracts portal that allows citizens to access County contracts online for review. 
  • The County is encouraging residents to report storm damage to the County. Efforts are being made to get access to FEMA Funds and this information will assist with that effort. 
  • The County's adoption event was a success with 85 pets being adopted this Saturday.

Human Resources Wanda Santana and Public Works Director Ramon Gavarrete presented comments and a token of appreciation to Fleet Management Director Gerald Bailey. 

Chair Alford and Commissioner Cornell presented comments. 

IFAS Extension Director Cindy Sanders presented the award to Mark and Gail Hodges.

Commissioner Prizzia and Chair Alford presented comments. 

Chair Alford recognized Randy Hunziker who expressed his desire to serve on the Housing Authority Advisory Board.  

Deputy Clerk Donahey called on each Commissioner for their one nominee for the Citizen at Large Representative to a term ending July 31, 2028.

Commissioners Alford, Prizzia, and Chestnut nominated Tyrone Johnson.

Commissioner Cornell nominated Randy Hunziker.

Commissioner Cornell moved appointment of Tyrone Johnson as the Citizen at Large Representative.

2nd Commissioner Chestnut

Chair Alford recognized Kali Blount who presented comments to the Board. 

The motion carried 4-0 with Commissioner Wheeler out of the room. 

Deputy Clerk Donahey called on each Commissioner for their nominee for the Tenant Representative and and Tenant Alternate position.

Commissioner Alford, Chestnut, Cornell, and Prizzia nominated Nicole Graham as the Tenant and Angela Robinson as the Tenant Alternate. 

Commissioner Cornell moved appointment of Nicole Graham as the Tenant Representative to a term ending July 31, 2028, and Angela Robinson as the Tenant Alternate to a term ending July 31, 2027, The motion carried 4-0 with Commissioner Wheeler out of the room. 

2nd Commissione rPrizzia

Deputy Clerk Donahey called on each Commissioner for their two nominees for the Citizen at Large Representative to the Historical Commission. 

Chair Alford recognized John McLean who expressed his desire to serve on the Historical Commission. 

Commissioners Alford, Chestnut, Cornell, and Prizzia nominated Karen Kirkman and John McLean.

Commissioner Cornell moved appointment of Karen Kirkman as the Citizen at Large Representative to a term ending April 30, 2025, John McLean as the Citizen at Large Representative to a term ending September 30, 2016, and Barry Baumstein as the Alternate Representative to a term ending April 30, 2025.The motion carried 4-0 with Commissioner Wheeler out of the room. 

2nd Commissioner Chestnut  

Assistant County Manager Gina Peebles and ROSCO Chair Steven Scott presented the above item. 

Commissioner Prizzia and Parks Director Jason Mauer presented comments. 

Commissioner Wheeler entered at 12:42 pm. 

Chair Alford recognized Brian Bisher (documentation provided), Kali Blount, Alachua County School Board Chair Dyonne McGraw, and Bobby Mermer who presented comments.

Commissioner Cornell, Commissioner Prizzia, 

Commissioner Prizzia moved to direct staff to research and see what baseline data the County has regarding the Mill Sink and its importance to our watershed and share that along with a Chair Letter offering our support for developing environmental protection standards for the development near Mill Sink. The motion carried 4-0 with Commissioner Wheeler out of the room.

2nd Commissioner Cornell

Chair Alford and Commissioner Prizzia presented comments. 

Fire Chief Harold Theus and Sheriff Emery Gainey presented the above item. 

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

Commissioner Cornell moved to authorize the Chair to sign the Interlocal Agreement between Alachua County and ACSO.  The motion carried 5-0.

2nd Commissioner Cornell

Assistant County Manager Gina Peebles presented the above item.

Commissioner Prizzia moved pursuant to Ordinance 16-06, approve the grant request submitted by the Town of Micanopy and authorize the Alachua County Chair to execute the grant agreement. The motion carried 5-0

2nd Commissioner Chestnut

Commissioner Prizzia moved to approve the Purchase and Sale Contract, the Deed, the Conservation Easement and the Resolution authorizing the sale; authorize the Chair to sign the Purchase and Sale Contract, the Deed, the acceptance of the Conservation Easement and the Resolution authorizing the sale; and authorize the County Manager, or their designee, to sign any additional documents, approved by the County Attorney, necessary to complete the transaction. The motion carried 5-0.

2nd Commissioner Wheeler

Senior Assistant County Attorney Corbin Hanson presented the above item.

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

Commissioner Cornell moved the appointment of Commissioner Chestnut as the alternate and to send a letter to the Chief Judger offering Retired Judge Jaworski and former Commissioner Pinkoson as substitutes. The motion carried 5-0.

2nd Commissioner Chestnut

Community Support Services Director Claudia Tuck and Assistant County Manager Tommy Crosby presented the above item. 

Commissioner Cornell moved the following:

1.To approve the closing and other transactional costs for the Option Contract between Alachua County and St. Francis House, Inc. for the property located at 2105 and 2120 SW 14th St., Gainesville, FL 32608; and authorize the Chair or the County Manager, or their designee, to sign the Notice of Exercise of Option and any additional documents, approved by the County Attorney, necessary to complete the transaction.

2. Staff work with HUD to help identify additional potential funding sources for the rebab and renovation of this site. This includes working with HUD to maintain the vouchers with the renovation or the construction of a new facility. 

3. Request that the federal lobbyist and local delegation work with the County on the HUD request and bring back an update to the Board with in 90 to 120 days prior to any long-term renovations being made.

4. Request that the Chair write a letter to the two housing authorities (Alachua County Housing Authority and the City of Gainesville Housing Authority) requesting they provide a report or a presentation on how their annual inspections are done for State and Federally funded housing vouchers received so that the Board understands how these units are maintained. 

5. The funding for the purchase will come from reserves with the ability to be reimbursed with clarification on the Infrastructure Surtax.  

2nd Commissioner Chestnut 

Commissioner Prizzia, County Attorney Sylvia Torres, Assistant County Manager Tommy Crosby, Commissioner Wheeler, Commissioner Cornell, Commissioner Chestnut, Chair Alford, and St. Francis House CEO & Executive Director Lori Schiffbauer presented comments. 

Chair Alford recognized Kali Blount who presented comments to the Board. 

The motion carried 5-0.

Procurement Manager TJ White presented the above item.

Chair Alford, Commissioner Wheeler, and Assistant County Manager Tommy Crosby presented comments.

Commissioner Cornell moved the following:

Approve the ranking and authorize staff to negotiate an agreement for RFP 24-480-LC Architecture & Engineering Services for Animal Resources & Care Facility:

1. Borrelli & Partners, Inc.

2. PGAL, Inc.

3. Walker Architects, Inc.

4. Brame Heck Architects Inc.

5. Superlative Architecture & Development (d.b.a. Level Architecture & Interiors)

Authorize staff to negotiate an agreement with the top ranked firm and with the second ranked firm should negotiations with the top ranked firm fail.

2nd Commissioner Chestnut

The motion carried 5-0.

Commissioner Cornell moved the following:

Approve the ranking and authorize staff to negotiate an agreement for RFP 24-481-LC Construction Manager at Risk for Animal Resources and Care Facility:

1.Oelrich Construction Inc.

2.Parrish McCall Constructors, Inc.

3.D.E. Scorpio Corporation

4.Charles Perry Partners, Inc

5.Foresight Construction Group, Inc.

6.Verdex Construction, LLC

7.Wehr Constructors, Inc.

Authorize staff to negotiate an agreement with the top ranked firm and with the second ranked firm should negotiations with the top ranked firm fail.

 2nd Commissioner Prizzia

The motion carried 5-0.

Community Support Services Director Claudia Tuck and Dr. Kathleen Moore presented the above item.

Commissioner Wheeler, Commissioner Prizzia, Assistant Director of Court Services Joe Lipsey, and Chair Alford presented comments. 

Senior Assistant County Attorney Diane Johnson presented the above item.

Commissioner Prizzia and Commissioner Wheeler presented comments. 

Commissioner Cornell moved to review and adopt the Affordable Housing Inventory List, find that properties listed are appropriate for use as affordable housing, and approve the Resolution, as presented, and authorize the Chair to sign.

2nd Commissioner Chestnut

Chair Alford recognized Kali Blount who presented comments to the Board.  

The motion carried 5-0.

Planner Angela Jacobs presented the above item.

Principal Planner Chris Dawson presented comments. 

Commissioner Prizzia moved to hold a first public hearing and authorize staff to bring back the proposed ULDC Amendments Ordinance for a second public hearing on September 10, 2024. The motion carried 5-0.

2nd Commissioner Cornell

Alachua County Housing Authority Executive Director Amanda Nazaro, Alachua County Housing Authority Director of Operations Ron Hall Commissioner Prizzia, Commissioner Cornell, Commissioner Wheeler, and Chair Alford presented comments. 

Commissioner Prizzia requested the 12-page inspection check list and a list of the properties owned and maintained by the Alachua County Housing Authority. 

There were no comments offered. 

Raynier Properties Potential Sale 

Deputy County Manager Smart stated that portions of Raynier's 13,000 acres of property will be sold. County staff has interest in the properties for conservation purposes. The sale will be a short time frame for the Wild Spaces Public Places Program. Staff is anxious to get on the property to inspect it but Raynier requires a Right of Entry Agreement which will indemnify Raynier if County staff has any accident or injuries while on the property. 

Land Conservation Manager Andi Christman presented the above item. 

Commissioner Cornell moved to authorize the Chair to sign the Right of Entry Agreement and waive the County indemnification policy. The motion carried 5-0.

Vice President Candidacy of the Florida Association of Counties

Commissioner Cornell stated that he is considering running for the office, but he would need a letter of support from the Board in order to do so. 

Commissioner Wheeler moved to authorize the Chair to sign a letter of support for Commissioner Cornell's candidacy. The motion carried 5-0.

2nd Commissioner Prizzia

Mill Creek Sink

Commissioner Cornell advised EPD Director Hoffstetter that the Board took action to offer assistance regarding the Mill Creek Sink development. 

Deconstruction and Reuse

Commissioner Prizzia stated that she is not aware if the County has a policy on the demolition and reuse of materials. She would like a presentation on the matter to see what strategies and polices there are since the County is going to be undertaking a large amount of construction shorty.

Family Promise

Commissioner Prizzia stated that Family Promise has a list of 400 families that are experiencing homelessness. There is a crucial need for housing. They are in the process of acquiring a facility to establish a shelter. 

Commissioner Prizzia moved to direct staff to explore opportunities to work with Family Promise with regards to housing construction funding such as infrastructure surtax as well as other sources. The motion carried 5-0.

2nd Commissioner Chestnut

Sand Bang Operation

Commissioner Wheeler thanked Public Works Director Gavarrete for the sandbag operation during the storm. Also, for the response to the Mebane Middle School sidewalk concerns. 

Housing First for Children Collaborative

Chair Alford stated that she has been working with this group and she will try to keep the Board informed. There was recently an offer of funding made by the Rotary Club and she hopes to have some good news shortly.

Gainesville Neighborhood Letter

Commissioner Cornell stated that his hope is that the City of Gainesville can reach a compromise, and the County will not need to be involved. He provided a copy of the letter for the record. 

There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 3:57 p.m.

  • Appoint Tina Lloyd as a member of the Health Care Advisory Board to represent healthcare agencies serving primarily low-income patients to a term ending April 30, 2025.

  • Approve the 1st Amendment to Agreement with Alachua County Coalition for the Homeless and Hungry, Inc., to re-allocate the funds within the existing budget and authorize the Chair to execute same on behalf of the County.

  • Approve the Memorandum of Agreement, Resolution, and budget amendment for the 2023-2024 Emergency Medical Services Trust Matching Grant award for the purchase of ventilators for the rural rescue units.

  • Approve the Memorandum of Agreement for the 2023-2024 Emergency Medical Services County Grant and Journal 2024-00002870 for fund distribution of the new grant award of $39,734.92.

  • The Development Review Committee, at its July 18, 2024 hearing, reviewed the application and recommended that the BoCC approve the Replat based on a finding of consistency with Florida Statutes, the Alachua County Comprehensive Plan, and the Alachua County Unified Land Development Code.

  • The Development Review Committee reviewed the Plat at its July 18, 2024, hearing and recommended the Board of County Commissioners approve the revised plat based on a finding of consistency with Florida Statutes, the Alachua County Comprehensive Plan, and the Alachua County Unified Land Development Code.

  • Adopt the resolution to request an access easement from the City of Gainesville d/b/a GRU and agree to accept the Easement for Ingress/Egress and Roadway attached thereto as Exhibit A, authorize the Chair to sign the resolution and, subsequently, execute acceptance by the County after approval and execution by the City d/b/a GRU, and authorize the County Manager, or their designee, to sign all documents, approved by the County Attorney, necessary to complete the acceptance and conveyance of the easement.

  • Approve the ranking and authorize staff to negotiate an agreement for RFP 25-227-MM Annual Management of Poe Springs Concession and Kayak/Canoe Rentals:

    1. Anderson’s Outdoor Adventures, LLC

    2. PADL, LLC

    Authorize staff to negotiate an agreement with the top ranked firm.

  • Approve and authorize the Chair to execute First Amendment to Agreement 13479 with BI Incorporated, for Offender Monitoring Solutions, in the amount not to exceed “NTE” $390,000.00 annually. Also, Fiscal Services is requesting approval of Budget Amendment 24-00002338.

  • Approve the ranking and authorize staff to negotiate agreements for RFP 25-172-MM Annual Vegetation Management for Environmental Protection, Land Conservation Program:

    1.EarthBalance Corporation

    2.Barge Design Solutions, Inc.

    3.Bio-Tech Consulting LLC

    4.Yewtree Environmental Services, LLC

    5.DeAngelo Contracting Services, LLC

    Authorize staff to negotiate agreements with the top three (3) ranked firms.

  • Approve and authorize the Chair to execute the following Addendum Agreements for as needed and on-call Annual Painting and Pressure Washing Services for Alachua County Facilities and Buildings, NTE $250,000.00 annually:

    Addendum Agreement 14260 with RWPC Inc. for as needed and on-call Annual Painting and Pressure Washing

    Addendum Agreement 14261 with EPI Essential Painting Inc. for as needed and on-call Annual Painting and Pressure Washing

    Addendum Agreement 14262 with Kept Companies, Inc. d/b/a Krystal Klean for as needed and on-call Annual Painting and Pressure Washing

    Addendum Agreement 14263 with Natural Elements Painting & Repair, LLC for as needed and on-call Annual Painting and Pressure Washing

    Addendum Agreement 14264 with Opal Industries Corporation for as needed and on-call Annual Painting and Pressure Washing

    Addendum Agreement 14265 with Batallan Enterprises Inc. d/b/a Property Works for as needed and on-call Annual Painting and Pressure Washing

    Addendum Agreement 14266 with Quality Painting Masters, Inc. for as needed and on-call Annual Painting and Pressure Washing

    Addendum Agreement 14267 with The Rose Group LLC for as needed and on-call Annual Painting and Pressure Washing

    Addendum Agreement 14268 with Whitslars Pressure Washing LLC for as needed and on-call Annual Painting and Pressure Washing

  • Approve the ranking and authorize staff to negotiate agreements for RFP 25-74-MM Annual Monitoring of Disaster Debris and Recovery Activities:

    1.Tetra Tech, Inc.

    2.Goodwyn Mills Cawood FL, LLC

    3.DebrisTech, LLC

    4.Rostan Solutions, LLC

    5.Thompson Consulting Services, LLC

    6.Disaster Program & Operations, Inc.

    7.CMTS Construction Management Services, LLC

    Authorize staff to negotiate agreements with the top 2 ranked firms. Should the staff be unable to negotiate a satisfactory agreement with the top ranked firm, negotiations with the unsuccessful firm will be terminated. Negotiations with the second ranked firm may be undertaken in the same manner in order of ranking until an agreement is reached, and so forth.

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