Alachua County Board of County Commissioners

Minutes

Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at 11:30 A.m. - 12:30 P.m.

County Administration Building - Jack Durrance Auditorium

12 SE 1 Street, 2nd Floor, Gainesville, FL 32601

Present:

• Chair Mary Alford, 
• Commissioner Ken Cornell, 
• and Commissioner Marihelen Wheeler 

Absent:

• Vice Chair Charles S. Chestnut, IV 
• and Commissioner Anna Prizzia 

---

A.

Invocation

Reverend Melissa Pisco provided the Invocation.

B.

Pledge of Allegiance

Chair Alford led the Pledge of Allegiance. 

C.

Call to Order

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

D.

Approval of Regular and Consent Agenda

Commissioner Cornell moved adoption of the Regular and Consent Agenda as printed. The motion carried 3-0 with Commissioner Chestnut and Commissioner Prizzia absent. 

2nd Commissioner Wheeler

Chair Alford recognized Tamara Robbins, Assistant County Manager Gina Peebles, and Deputy County Attorney Bob Swain who presented comments to the Board.

E.

Announcements

Communications Director, Mark Sexton, presented the following announcement:

• A video of the opening ceremony for Fire Station 80 was displayed for the public. 

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

F.

Approval of Recognitions

Commissioner Cornell moved approval all Proclamations on the agenda. The motion carried 3-0 with Commissioner Chestnut and Commissioner Prizzia absent.

2nd Commissioner Wheeler

1.

Approval of a Proclamation Declaring March 24th through March 30th, 2024, as Zero Waste Week in Alachua County, Florida - 24-00158

Commissioner Cornell read and presented the Proclamation to Solid Waste Director Gus Olmos and Amanda Wadell who accepted it with gratitude.

G.

Board and Committee Items

1.

Presentation of Alachua County Land Conservation Board FY 2023 Annual Accomplishment Report and FY 24 Workplan - 24-00212

Senior Planner Emily Uhlmann and Land Conservation Board Vice Chair Amy Schwarzer presented the above item. 

Commissioner Cornell Commissioner Wheeler, and Chair Alford presented comments. 

County Attorney Torres entered at 12:11 p.m.

2.

FY23 4th Quarter Infrastructure Surtax Oversight Board Report - 24-00221

Assistant County Manager Gina Peebles presented the above item. 

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

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

H.

Public Comments

Chair Alford recognized Jim Konish, Cathleen Rupert, Suzanne Michelle Morris, Tamara Robbins, Kim Prince, Elizabeth Shannon, and Adele Franson who presented comments.

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

I.

Items Pulled From Consent

J.

Presentations

1.

FY25 Budget Development - Budget and Financial Policies, Historical Trends, Strategic Guide - 24-00228

Budget Manager Maureen Rischitelli presented the above item.

County Manager Lieberman and Chair Alford presented comments. 

Commissioner Cornell moved to approve Financial Policies and Adopt the Resolution. The motion carried 3-0 with Commissioner Chestnut and Commissioner Prizzia absent.

2nd Commissioner Wheeler

K.

Land Conservation Projects

1.

Lake Santa Fe – Winchester Tract Option Contract to Purchase Real Property - 24-00207

Lands Program Manager Andi Christman presented the above item.

Commissioner Cornell moved the following:

1.Approve and authorize the Chair to exercise the Lake Santa Fe – Winchester Option Contract to purchase Real Property, subject to the County’s rights to conduct due diligence inspections and notice Seller of Title Defects and Environmental Defects as set forth in the Contract;

2.Approve the acquisition subject to the non-permitted title exceptions, #5 & #6 and to the subject to the concurrence of the county attorney and of the closing attorney;

3. Authorize staff to pursue termination of title exception #6, through acquisition of privately held ingress/egress easement interests for an amount not to exceed $5,000 (contract shall not be contingent upon this action); and

4.Authorize staff to execute additional documents as necessary to close the transaction; and

5.Approve the attached budget amendment authorizing the expenditure of funds for due diligence and associated closing costs.

2nd Commissioner Wheeler

The motion carried 3-0 with Commissioner Chestnut and Commissioner Prizzia absent. 

Commissioner Wheeler presented comments. 

L.

Action Items

1.

Update Services for Office of the Medical Examiner - 24-00144

Assistant County Manager Tommy Crosby presented the above item.

Commissioner Cornell moved the following:

• Authorize the County Manager or designee to negotiate a contract with District 6 Chief Medical Examiner Jon R. Thogmartin, M.D., to provide services to District 8 on interim basis; and
• Authorize the Chair to send notice of terminating the Three-Party Agreement for Medical Examiner Services between Alachua County,  Thomas Coyne, M.D., Ph.D. and the University of Florida, with a termination date of 30 days thereafter; and
• Authorize the Chair to execute Interlocal Agreement for Medical Examiner Services with Baker, Bradford, Levy, Gilchrist, Union, and Dixie Counties, in form generally as presented; and
• Approve staff to transition equipment and supplies from UF to support the District 8 Medical Examiner’s Office.

2nd Commissioner Wheeler

Chair Alford recognized Tamara Robbins and County Attorney Torres who presented comments to the Board. 

The motion carried 3-0 with Commissioner Chestnut and Commissioner Prizzia absent. 

M.

NOTE: This meeting will NOT reconvene at 5:01 PM

N.

Closing Comments

1.

Public Comment

There was no one present who wished to address the Board. 

2.

County Attorney Comment

There were no comments offered.

3.

County Manager Comment

There were no comments offered. 

4.

Commission Comment

JBPro Neighborhood Meeting

Commissioner Cornell encouraged each Commissioner to use Map Genius to visualize where the flood zones are located. It is an environmentally sensitive area and needs to be done correctly if anything is done on the site. 

Criminal Justice Mental Health & Substance Abuse Grant(CJMHSAG) Committee

Commissioner Wheeler inquired which Commissioner will serve on this Board. 

Chair Alford stated that this is one of committee that the Chair is the designated representative. 

Tires

Commissioner Wheeler inquired regarding the emails received from the gentlemen in Canada for the proposal with tires. She knows that Waste Management Director Olmos has been responded to the emails. 

The Board stated that a response from the County that we are not capable of providing venture capital for his endeavor was provided. 

GFL Garbage Hauling

Commissioner Wheeler stated that she is receiving emails from citizens regarding the lack of service being provided for garbage pickup by the new provider. They are frustrated that they are paying for a service that is not being provided. 

Archer Meeting

Commissioner Wheeler stated that she attended the City of Archer meeting regarding a proposed cement plant. She heard complaints that the community was not properly noticed. The meeting was canceled. She is not sure if the County has a role in the matter as it will be on a County Road. 

Animal Shelter

Commissioner Wheeler stated that she visited the Animal Shelter during the staff training for play groups with the dogs. It was fascinating to watch and should be very beneficial for the dog's health. It will also allow the public a chance to see the temperament of the animals. 

Prenatal to 3 County Leaders Academy

Chair Alford stated that she was invited to attend the academy. She stated that she will attend if it is something this Board is interested in pursuing. 

By consensus the Board agreed to the Chair attending.

Commissioner Cornell stated that both the County and Children's Trust have both provided funding for a literacy study. The cost is higher than expected and a letter has been sent to the School Board requesting they provide a third of the funding. 

O.

Adjournment

There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 1:45 p.m.

P.

Consent Items

1.

Animal Resources

1.

Request to Appoint Dr. Julie Levy to Animal Welfare Advisory Committee - 24-00230 - 24-00230

• Appoint Dr. Julie Levy, DVM, Ph.D. to the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee

2.

Clerk of the Court

1.

Removal Of Uncollectible Accounts from the Financial Statements - 24-00171

• Request the Board to adopt the resolution authorizing the removal of uncollectible accounts from the financial statements.  All of the receivable accounts have allowances for doubtful accounts. The receivable accounts and correlating allowances will be written down by a total amount of $2,387,374.84. A breakdown of this amount by fund and type is provided in the following attachments: (1) by fund: Write-off Summary: (2) by type: see Exhibit A which is the last page of the attached Resolution.

   

3.

Community Support Services

1.

Emergency Rental Assistance – Unanticipated Revenue Prior Year Returns - 24-00057

• Approve the resolution and budget amendment to recognize the prior year returns to the grant.

2.

1st Amendment to Agreement 13975 Alachua County Coalition for the Homeless and Hungry Funding Agreement for Shelter Operations - 24-00206

• Approve the 1^st 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.

3.

Criminal Justice Mental Health and Substance Abuse Grant Application (CJMHSAG) - 24-00194

• Adopt Resolution 24-XXX establishing the Criminal Justice Mental Health and Substance Abuse Grant Planning Committee. Adopt Resolution 24-XXX Authorizing Meridian Behavioral Healthcare, Inc. to submit an application on behalf of Alachua County responsive to the DCF RFA 2324 011 Criminal Justice Mental Health and Substance Abuse Reinvestment Grant. Authorize the Chair to sign and submit a letter authorizing Meridian Behavioral Healthcare, Inc. as the CJMHSAG applicant for Alachua County subject to confirmation by the CJMHSAG Planning Committee. Additionally, authorize the Chair to sign the required match form committing cash match as approved by the BoCC in the amount of $370,000.00.

4.

State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Annual Report, Local Incentives Certification and Resolution - 24-00226

• Approve the SHIP Annual Report, authorize Chair to sign SHIP Annual Report and Local Incentives Certification;

4.

Environmental Protection

1.

Recognize Unanticipated Revenue for St Johns River Water Conservation Cost Share Program - 24-00188

• Approve and sign the Resolution and Budget Amendment to recognize $10,000 in unanticipated revenue in Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 to the General Fund and authorize the County Manager to sign the Agreement.

5.

Fire Rescue

1.

Revisions to the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) General Unit Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) - 24-00216

• Authorize Chair to sign the amended Collective Bargaining Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding related to the retiree Health Insurance Subsidy.

6.

Procurement

1.

Addendum Agreements for On-Call Mechanical Services, for Facilities Management based on University of Central Florida Agreements. - 24-00196

• Approve and authorize the Chair to execute the following Addendum Agreements for On-Call Mechanical Services, NTE $4,000,000.00 annually:

  ADDENDUM Agrmt 14106 with S.I. Goldman Company, Inc. for On-Call Mechanical Services

  ADDENDUM Agrmt 14111 with Bernhard MCC, LLC for On-Call Mechanical Services

  ADDENDUM Agrmt 14112 with Engineered Cooling Services, LLC for On-Call Mechanical Services

  ADDENDUM Agrmt 14113 with Mechanical Services of Central Florida, Inc. for On-Call Mechanical Services

2.

Addendum Agreements for On-Call Mechanical Services, for Facilities Management based on University of Florida Agreements. - 24-00225

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

  Addendum Agreement 14169 with Balanced Mechanical & Plumbing Services, LLC for On-Call Mechanical Services

  Addendum Agreement 14170 with Climate Control Mechanical Services, Inc. for On-Call Mechanical Services

  Addendum Agreement 14171 with Coker Industrial Contractors, Inc. for On-Call Mechanical Services

  Addendum Agreement 14172 with S.I. Goldman Company, Inc. for On-Call Mechanical Services

  Addendum Agreement 14173 with Taylor’d HVAC Services, Inc. for On-Call Mechanical Services

  Addendum Agreement 14174 with W.W. Gay Mechanical Contractor of Gainesville, Inc. for On-Call Mechanical Services

3.

Award and Agreement 14064 for 24-473 Alachua County Demonstration Gardens at the UF-IFAS Extension Office for Facilities Management. - 24-00211

• Approve the Award and authorize the Chair to execute Agreement 14064 with J.E. Delker Construction Group, LLC. for 24-473 Alachua County Demonstration Gardens at the UF-IFAS Extension Office, in the amount of $145,916.00.

4.

First Amendment to Agreement 13921 with Boone Improvements, Inc., for Bid 24-34 Annual Lawn Maintenance at Northwest (NW) and Southwest (SW) Landfills and Rural Collection Centers for Solid Waste and Resource Recovery. - 24-00217

• Approve and authorize the Chair to execute First Amendment to Agreement 13921 with Boone Improvements, Inc., for Bid 24-34 Annual Lawn Maintenance at NW and SW Landfills and Rural Collection Centers not to exceed $75,000.00 annually.

7.

Public Works

1.

Resolution for easements from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection - Heatherwood - 24-00224

• Adopt the attached resolution and authorize the Chair to sign the resolution.

8.

Visit Gainesville, Alachua County, FL

1.

Special Pay Request for the Florida Society of Association Executives (FSAE) - 24-00192

• Approve the Special Pay Request in the amount of $5,790 to FSAE for advertising

Q.

Notation for Record

1.

Rural Concerns Advisory Committee Minutes of January 16, 2024 - 24-00213

• No Action necessary. For Informational purposes only.

2.

Infrastructure Surtax Oversight Board – Oct. 23, 2023 and Jan. 22, 2024 Minutes - 24-00220

• No action necessary. For informational purposes only.

3.

Report of Contracts signed by County Manager or Designee in the months of December 2023 and January 2024. - 24-00202

• Accept the report and include a copy of the documents in the minutes of the Board of County Commissioners.

R.

Notice of Upcoming Meetings