Alachua County Special Meeting

Minutes

Monday, July 10, 2023 at 7:00 P.m. - 8:00 P.m.

Easton Newberry Sports Complex

24880 NW 16th Avenue, Newberry, FL 32669

Present:

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

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A.

Call To Order

The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m.

B.

Welcome

C.

Invocation

D.

Introduction

1.

Mayor Jordan Marlowe, City of Newberry

2.

Chair Anna Prizzia, Alachua County Commission

E.

Adoption of the Agenda

City Commissioner Marden moved to approve the agenda as published. The motion carried 5-0. 

                                                                                  2nd City Commissioner Clark

Commissioner Cornell moved approval of the agenda as printed. The motion carried 5-0.

2nd Commissioner Chestnut

F.

Items For Discussion

1.

Alachua County Update

1.

Alachua County Tree Planting Program and Interlocal Agreements Update - 23-00318

Alachua County Conservation Lands Program Manager Andi Christman presented the above item.

Ms. Christman stated that the County is looking for opportunities to partner with agencies to find locations to plant trees. If the City of Archer has any suitable locations for tree plantings the County would appreciate being able to plant trees on the site.  

2.

Conservation Lands - 23-00320

Ms. Christman displayed maps that showed the lands that have been purchased, those that are on the acquisition list, and the State wild life corridor that are a priority for land purchases. She advised that this cycle will make the conservation of farm land a priority through the purchase of conservation easements which will pay the landowners for the development rights on the land but allow it to continue to be used for agricultural purposes. The Hitchcock Ranch is a great example of this practice. The tax is expected to raise $150,000,000 for conservation lands and $37,500,000 for the County active parks.

3.

Parks and Open Space - 23-00345

Parks and Open Space Ed Williams presented the above item.

Mr. Williams informed the City of the Parks Master Plan process that the County undertook and displayed the results of the plan to the City showing them the plans for the City of Newberry area to meet the needs of the community.

4.

Roads - 23-00346

Public Works Director Ramon Gavarrete presented the above item.

          Mr. Gavarrete explained the County’s 10-year plan towards road pavement management. He advised that a software called AgileAssets has been employed to help maximize the effectiveness of the revenues spent and that inequity has been factored into the formula to help address some of the historical failings of road funding. He advised that some bonds the County issued for road paving will be paid off in 2027. The staff is looking to reissue bonds in 2028 to make an additional $9,000,000 in funds available for road projects.

2.

City of Newberry Projects Update

1.

Newberry Impact Fees - 23-00347

City of Newberry  Assistant Manager/CFO Dallas Lee presented the above item.

 

2.

Newberry Urban Services Boundary - 23-00349

Newberry Planning & Economic Development Director Byran Thomas presented the above item.

3.

Capital Projects Update - 23-00348

Wastewater Treatment Facility Expansion

Newberry Assistant Manager Public Works & Utilites Jamie Jones presented the above item. 

SW 15th Avenue Road Reconstruction

Newberry City Manager Mike New presented the above item.

City Hall Expansion

Newberry Director of Parks & Recreation Travis Parker presented the above item. 

3.

Interlocal Agreement(s) for Newberry Environmental Park including Solid Waste, Meat Processing Facility, and Fire Training Facility- 23-00322

Meat Processing Plant

Alachua County Economic Development & Food Systems Manager Sean McLendon presented the above item. 

Mayor Marlow, Commissioner Cornell, Alachua County Solid Waste and Resources Recovery Director Gus Olmos, County Manager Lieberman, Chair Prizzia,  Public Works Director Ramone Gavarrete, Commissioner Alford, Commissioner Wheeler, and Commissioner Chestnut presented comments. 

City Commissioner Marden moved to direct staff to work with the County to move CR337 project up on the timeline schedule to 2026. 

                                                                                                                                                                                2nd City Commissioner Mazon 

City Commissioner Clark, Commissioner Alford, Commissioner Cornell, Chair Prizzia, Mayor Marlowe, Commissioner Wheeler, County Manager Lieberman, Commissioner Alford, and City Commissioner Marden presented comments. 

Mayor Marlow recognized Paul Hornby, Naim Erched, Greg Smith, Joy Glanzer, Lee Pinkoson, Barbara Sieling, Herb Marlowe, Wess, Heather Boyd, Travis Boyd, Jay Lerew, Debbie Boyd, Shannon Blair, Evan LeFevre, Jeff Holcomb, Jordan Fairfield, Janeice Smith, Ted Dobracki, Tanya Freymuth, and Malaina Wentz presented comments.  

City Commissioner Marden moved to extend the meeting to 11:00 p.m. The motion carried 3-2 with City Commissioners Coleman and Farnsworth voting Nay. 

                                                                                                                                                             2nd City Commissioner Mazon

The City motion carried 5-0.

Chair Prizzia, Commissioner Cornell, County Public Works Director Ramone Gavarrete, Commissioner Alford, Commissioner Wheeler, City Manager New, Chair Prizzia presented comments. 

Commissioner Alford moved the following:

1. To direct staff to work with the City of Newberry to amend the Interlocal Agreement to add the necessary details to address the safety concerns on CR 337.
2. To move Segment 1 of the road project up on the list so that it is phased appropriately to begin shortly after the completion of the site projects and identify funding.

2nd Commissioner Wheeler         

The motion carried 3-2 with Commissioners Cornell and Chestnut voting "Nay".           

Commissioner Cornell moved the following substitute motion:

1. To direct staff to conduct a traffic safety study by Fall 2023 and return with recommendations for improving the safety of this road. 

2. Staff is to proceed with the Fire Training Facility and the Solid Waste Collection Center.

3. Work with the City of Newberry towards State and Federal funding for CR 337 safety improvements.

2nd Commissioner Chestnut

The substitute motion failed 2 to 3 with Commissioners Alford, Prizzia, and Wheeler voting Nay. 

                                                               

G.

Public Comment

Mayor Marlowe recognized Sheila Miller, Valorie Bronstone, Cheyenne Lukander, John Hoel, Emma Hoel, Cody Yelton, Shannon Blair, Evan LeFevre, Barbara Sieling, Kelly Walch, Leah Cohen, Kari Bagnall, Adam Bronstone, Tanya Freymuth, a citizen, Macy Vance, Herb Marlowe, Malaina Wentz, and Royce Ashcroft presented comments. 

Mayor Marlowe, Chair Prizzia, and County Commissioner Cornell presented comments. 

Commissioner Cornell moved to extend the meeting to 12:15 a.m. The motion carried 4-0 with Commissioner Alford out of the room.

2nd Commissioner Chestnut

H.

Commission General Comments and Information Discussion

1.

County Commission Comment

There were no comments offered.

2.

City Commission Comment

There were no comments offered.

I.

Adjourn

There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 12:09 a.m.