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

Clerk of Court J.K. "Jess" Irby, Esq. called the meeting to order at 11:30 a.m.

Minister Alan C. Norton of Alachua Church of Christ provided the Invocation.

Clerk of Court J.K. "Jess" Irby, Esq. led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Clerk of the Court J.K. Jess Irby, Esq. presented a plaque to exiting Chair Chestnut for his service to the community. 

Chair Chestnut expressed his appreciation to his fellow Commissioners for allowing him to serve as the Chair and stated that he was proud of the work that was done by the Board on behalf of the citizens of Alachua County.

Clerk of the Court J.K. "Jess" Irby, Esq. called on the Commission for nominees for the next Chair of the County Commission. 

Commissioner Prizzia moved the nomination of Commissioner Cornell as the Chair of the County Commission. The motion carried 5-0.

2nd Commissioner Wheeler

Commissioner Alford moved the nomination of Commissioner Prizzia as the Vice Chair of the County Commission. The motion carried 5-0.

2nd Commissioner Wheeler

Commissioner Cornell thanked the Board for the opportunity to serve as the Chair. He expressed to Commissioner Wheeler that although she has stated that she will not seek re-election after this term that if she would like to represent the Board at any of the functions throughout the year that she makes it known and he would be pleased to allow her to do so.

Commissioner Wheeler, Commissioner Alford, and Commissioner Prizzia presented comments. 

Chair Cornell requested to move Item 6a, Annual Gun Violence Grant 25-00882 to the Regular Agenda for consideration

Commissioner Prizzia moved adoption of the Regular and Consent Agenda with the modification listed below:

Item moved from Consent to the Regular Agenda for Consideration:

Item 6a, Request for Application (RFA) 2-44PM Annual Gun Violence Prevention Grant (GVPG) for Grant Review Committee Award Recommendations for Community Support Services 25-00882.

The motion carried 5-0.

2nd Commissioner Alford

Commissioner Wheeler presented comments. 

Public Information Officer, Andrew Caplan, presented the following announcements:

  • A photo of the newly organized Commission was taken.
  • Operation Green Light is a weeklong initiative to honor veterans and their families. The County Administration Building, Freedom Center, and the Health Department Building will be lit green in support of the initiative. 
  • The County has been awarded the 2027 World Masters Event. 
  • Chapter Five of the Cents & Sensibility series has been released which will educate citizens on the Alachua County budget.
  • Newly hired Human Resources director Suzy Swain presented comments to the Board. 

Commissioner Wheeler moved approval all Proclamations on the agenda. The motion carried 5-0.

2nd Commissioner Chestnut

Commissioner Wheeler read and presented the Proclamation to Partnership for Strong Families Representative Amanda Demaria, CEO Ginger Griffth, and Adoption Supervisor April Kuhn who accepted it with gratitude.

Chair Cornell read and presented the Proclamation to Veterans Services Director Olajuwon White, Navy Veteran Catherine Henderson, and Army Veteran Belinda Covey who accepted it with gratitude. 

Commissioner Prizzia read and presented the Proclamation to Conservation Lands Manager Andi Cristman who accepted it with gratitude. 

Chair Cornell recognized Chris Bird, Ramesh Buch, Sandra Vardeman, Charlie Houder, Stephen Hofstetter, and Commissioner Wheeler who presented comments.

Chair Cornell recognized Greg Johnson and Julie Smith who expressed their desire to serve on the Tourist Development Council. An email from applicant Erin Porter was read to the Commission. 

Clerk of Court Irby called on each Commissioner for their two nominees.

Commissioners Alford, Cornell, and Prizzia nominated Greg Johnson and Erin Porter.

Commissioner Chestnut nominated Greg Johnson and Julie Smith.

Commissioner Wheeler nominated Erin Porter and Julie Smith.

Clerk Irby announced the results.

Commissioner Prizzia moved the nomination of Greg Johnson and Erin Porter as the Involved in Tourist Industry Representatives to terms ending September 30, 2029. The motion carried 5-0.

2nd Commissioner Alford

Chair Cornell recognized Reverend Anderson, Kali Blount, Joshua Ney, Peak Literacy Executive Director Leah Galione, Bread of the Almighty Food Bank Director Patrick Dobbs, Policy Director at Community Spring Max Tipping, Brian Bisher, Alachua County Labor Coalition Bobby Mermer, Jancie Vinson, Soorya Lindburg, Susan Bottcher, Tamara Robbins, Corey Bronson, Greg Johnson, Michelle Nolan, Shawn Trainer, Sara Younger, a citizen, Clark Wood, Julie DeCarmine, and Moe Chenelle who presented comments.

Commissioner Prizzia presented comments regarding the SNAP food program. 

Commissioner Wheeler requested an update on the Mill Creek application in the City of Alachua.

EPD Director Stephen Hoffstetter stated that it is scheduled of for a meeting on November 18, 2025, and staff will be in attendance to represent the County's interest as well a court reporter to ensure a sufficient record of the meeting is available. 

Commissioner Cornell and County Attorney Torres presented comments. 

EPD Resiliency Specialist Jennison Kipp presented the above item. 

Commissioner Alford, Commissioner Wheeler, Chair Cornell, and EPD Director Hoffstetter presented comments. 

Commissioner Alford moved to accept the report and refer to staff to bring back options to address or offset impacts at the next World Master's Event.

2nd Commissioner Prizzia

Chair Cornell recognized Tamara Robbins who presented comments to the Board. 

Commissioner Alford and Commissioner Prizzia presented comments. 

The motion carried 5-0.

Housing Programs Manager Ralston Reodica presented the above item.

Commissioner Prizzia moved to approve the RFA LGAO 2025 -201 submittal of Smith & Henzy Affordable Group, Inc. in partnership with Alachua County Housing Authority. The motion carried 5-0.

2nd Commissioner Alford

Housing Programs Manager Ralston Reodica presented the above item.

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

Commissioner Prizzia moved the following:

Hear the presentation and authorize the Chair to approve the following recommendations:

  1. Approve Rental Development Program
  2. Approve Homeownership Impact Fund Program at no more than 40%10%
  3. Approve funding recommendations for IST applications
    • Banyan Development, Project - Royal Park Seniors: $2,880,002 (for 86 units) / $3,277,500 (for 104 units)
    • J.E. Properties, Project - Oakview Apartments II: $3,275,785 (for 162 units)
  4. Staff to return with the model/proposals for a land trust and property opportunities for the County to move forward with projects of its own with regards to rental and homeownership opportunities.  
  5. Staff to review the land purchase option offered during public comment to ensure the project moves forward or provide other ways to make the Oakview Project possible.

2nd Commissioner Alford

Chair Cornell recognized Kali Blount, Joe Eddy, Commissioner Prizzia, Bobby Mermer, Tamara Robbins, and Chris Koch who presented comments to the Board. 

The motion carried 5-0.

Planner Mehdi Benkhatar and Planner Angeline Jacobs presented the above item.

Commissioner Chestnut moved to hold the first of two public hearings for these ULDC amendments and direct Staff to schedule a second public hearing.  

2nd Commissioner Prizzia

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

The motion carried 5-0.

Growth Management Director Jeff Hays presented the above item. 

Commissioner Alford and Commissioner Prizzia presented comments.

Commissioner Prizzia moved to keep the districts as they are currently. 

2nd Commissioner Alford

Chair Cornell recognized Larry McDaniel who presented comments to the Board. 

The motion carried 5-0.

County Attorney Torres presented the rules and procedures for the Quasi-Judicial Hearing.

There was no one who requested party status.

Deputy Clerk Donahey issued the Oath to all those who wished to participate.

Planner Mehdi Benkhatar presented the above item. 

Commissioner Alford moved to approve Z25-000023 with the bases and conditions as listed in the staff report.

2nd Commissioner Chestnut

Agent for the Applicant Tara Howell presented comments. 

Commissioner Prizzia and Commissioner Alford presented comments. 

The motion carried 5-0.

Executive Liaison for Public Safety and Community Relations Carl Smart and Assistant County Manager Crosby presented the above item. 

Chair Cornell presented comments.

Commissioner Chestnut moved the following:

1. Change the award to the Gainesville Community Tennis Association to $10,000.

2. Divided the remaining balance of $212,850 by the remaining 8 organizations and award them all using that funding formula. ($26,606.25)

3. This motion does not change the scoring of the applications just the awarded amounts.

2nd Commissioner Wheeler 

Procurement Manager TJ White presented comments.

The motion carried 5-0.

County Attorney Torres presented the rules and procedures for the Quasi-Judicial Hearing.

There was no on present who wished to seek party status.

Commissioners Alford, Prizzia, Cornell, Chestnut, and Wheeler disclosed a meeting with the applicant.

Commissioners Cornell and Chestnut disclosed meetings with City of Hawthorne.

Deputy Clerk Donahey issued the Oath to all those who wished to address the matter. 

EPD Natural Resources Program Manager Mark Brown presented the above item.

Agent for the Applicant Clay Sweger, Hawthorne Mayor Jacquelyn Randall, Hawthorne City Manager, Robert Thompson, VisionFirst Advisors Gray Swoope, Breedlove Dennis & Associates Mike Dennis, and David Coffey, Esq. presented comments.

Commissioner Prizzia moved the following:

Staff Recommended Action including the railroad spur and access roadway impacts to the wildlife corridor and the added condition and up to an additional 10 acres of impact with each final development plan or up to 44 acres total. except with no additional encroachment or impacts on the 39-acre wildlife corridor or conservation areas. Any impact to the wildlife corridor or conservation areas will come back to the Board of County Commissioners.

Added condition: Weyerhaeuser and individual businesses located within the Hawthorne Industry Park will be required to submit and receive construction level Environmental Resource Permits (ERP) from the St. Johns River Water Management District. Concurrently with the ERP application, a CWPC application will be submitted to Alachua County EPD with copies of the construction plans, District correspondence and mitigations reports. EPD staff will correspond with the applicants and District staff in the evaluation of proposed wetland impacts, associated acreages and designated mitigation. 

2nd Commissioner Alford

The Board recessed to allow time for the staff and the applicant to discuss the motion.

COMMISSON RECESSED AT: 7:20 P.M.

COMMISSION RECONVENED: 7:51 P.M.

Assistant County Manager Missy Daniels, County Attorney Torres, Agent for the Applicant Clay Sweger, David Coffey, Esq., and Commissioner Alford presented comments.

Chair Cornell recognized George Papadi, Chamber of Commerce Eric Godet, Mike New, Chamber of Commerce Landon Harrar, Larry McDaniel, Mo Chanel, and Ronald Cobb II who presented comments to the Board.

Commissioner Prizzia moved the following amended motion:

Weyerhaeuser, lot owners, and contractors constructing infrastructure (ex., roads, railroads, utilities) shall be restricted to impacting no more than 44 acres of wetlands and surface waters within the boundaries to the Hawthorne Industrial Park, but outside the delineated wildlife corridor/conservation area. The only impacts allowed within the wildlife corridor/conservation area, without additional approvals from the Board of County Commissioners, are the east-west railroad spur and access roadway. Additional approvals of impacts within the wildlife corridor/conservation area will be reviewed by the Board of County Commissioner in accordance with the Countywide Wetland Protection Code. Impacts may only occur after final development plan approvals by Hawthorne showing wetland and surface waters impacts.

Weyerhaeuser and subsequent property owners within the Hawthorne Industrial Park will be required to submit and receive construction level Environmental Resource Permits (ERP) from the St. Johns River Water Management District. Concurrent with ERP applications, a Countywide Wetland Protection report will be submitted to the Alachua County Environmental Protection Department with copies of the construction plans, District communications and mitigation reports. Environmental Protection Department staff will correspond with the applicants and District staff in the evaluation of proposed wetland and surface waters impacts, associated acreages and designated mitigation. 

Off-site mitigation area (443 acres) will be put into permanent protection prior to any wetland or surface waters impacts. 

2nd Commissioner Alford

The motion carried 5-0.

 

Chair Cornell recognized Moe Channel who presented comments to the Board. 

Commissioner Prizzia and Chair Cornell presented comments. 

There were no comments offered.

Assistant County Manager Daniels presented the following comments:

MV Transit 

Mrs. Daniels stated that a letter was received from MV Transport stating that to continue the service would require $738,777 in addition to the $700,000 the County already pays. The total cost would be approximately $1,400,000. So, it would be an additional monthly expense of $61,564.75 to the County to continue the service.

Commissioner Cornell, Growth Management Director Jeff Hays, Commissioner Alford, Commissioner Prizzia, Chair Cornell, Commissioner Wheeler, and Commissioner Chestnut presented comments. 

Staff is to negotiate a stop gap agreement for services with MV. Staff will provide options and recommendations for MV services by January. Further, staff is to provide updates on developments as available to the Board. 

SNAP Benefits

Assistant County Manager Daniels stated that staff is prepared to assist with fundraising efforts through the Communications Office and any other way the Board would like. Staff is not recommending funding as the cost are just more than the County can sustain. 

Commissioner Prizzia, Commissioner Chestnut, Bread of the Almighty Food Bank Director Patrick Dobbs, Commissioner Alford, and Commissioner Wheeler presented comments. 

Commissioner Prizzia moved the following:
 
1. To authorize $100,000.00 to the Bread of the Almighty Food Bank right now to supplement their emergency food assistance program buying healthy staple food products for a balanced diet. Not sugary beverages and candy but rice, pasta, beans and canned vegetables.
2. To authorize $100,000.00 to the farmer's markets for their SNAP Voucher Programs that are able to stand up fresh food voucher programs for SNAP eligible recipients and our family resource centers providing fresh fruit and vegetables that they can then get out into the community to supplement the emergency food assistance that they are that is shelf stable. The resource centers could get infrastructure such as coolers and then purchase fresh fruits and vegetables. These centers are in Micanopy, High Springs, Hawthorne, SWAG, and One Community Resource Center. There are at least 6 centers.
3. Authorize a Chair Letter to the City of Gainesville to match the Bread of the Almighty Food Bank funding and the Children's Trust of Alachua County to match the fresh fruits and vegetables funding. 
4. The funding is to come from Revenue Recovery Funds and ask staff to come forward as soon as possible with additional recommendations on food assistance opportunities as soon as possible.
 
2nd Commissioner Chestnut
 
The motion carried 5-0.
 
COMMISSION RECESSED AT: 4:31 P.M.
COMMISSION RECONVENED: 5:01 P.M.
 

SNAP Funding

Commissioner Prizzia stated that the County Manager needs authorization to spend the $200,000 the Board provided for emergency funding for food programs due to the loss of SNAP funds during the government shutdown. This amount exceeds her authority which is capped at $50,000. She would like to have the Board approve the request.

Commissioner Prizzia moved to give authority to the County Manager to spend the $200,000.00 previously authorized for food programs which exceeds her usual authority of $50,000.00. The motion carried 5-0
 
2nd Commissioner Alford

There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 8:28 p.m.

  • Adopt the Resolution and authorize the Chairman and Vice-Chairman to execute all bank signature

    forms and Department of State Form DE-DE 3 Facsimile Signatures if not already on file with the Florida Department of State.

  • Appoint Diane Shaw to the County Appointee vacancy on the Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Board to the MTPO.

  • Approve the award of Bid 26-25-MB Annual Pest Control Services to Guardian Pest Services, Inc. for a one-year term ending September 30, 2026, with an option to renew the term of the award for up to two additional two-year periods.

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