Alachua County Board of County Commissioners

Minutes

-
County Administration Building - Jack Durrance Auditorium
12 SE 1 Street, 2nd Floor, Gainesville, FL 32601
Present:
  • Commissioner Mary Alford, 
  • Chair Charles S. Chestnut, IV, 
  • Vice Chair Ken Cornell, 
  • Commissioner Anna Prizzia, 
  • and Commissioner Marihelen Wheeler 

A.
Invocation

 

Reverend Ryan Hope Travis, Unity of Gainesville FL provided the Invocation.

B.
Pledge of Allegiance

 

C.
Call to Order

 

Chair Chestnut called the meeting to order at 11:30am.

D.
Approval of Regular and Consent Agenda

 

Commissioner Prizzia moved to approve Commissioner Cornell to participate remotely under extraordinary circumstances.

2nd Commissioner Wheeler

The motion carried 4-0 with Commissioner Alford not present.

Commissioner Alford entered the meeting at 11:36am

 

Commissioner Prizzia moved adoption of the Regular and Consent Agenda as printed.

2nd Commissioner Wheeler

The motion carried 5-0.

  • To approve the Regular and Consent Agenda. 

E.
Announcements

 

Communications Director, Mark Sexton, presented the following announcements:

- The World Masters is currently taking place at the sports and event center and the event has been great. Spectators get in free admission, and all residents are encouraged to attend and enjoy the event at celebration. 

F.
Approval of Recognitions

 

Commissioner Alford moved approval of all Proclamations on the agenda.

2nd commissioner Wheeler

The motion carried 5-0.

1.
Presentation of a proclamation recognizing April as Water Conservation Month in Alachua County, Florida - 25-00209

 

Commissioner Prizzia presented the above proclamation recognizing April as Water Conservation month in Alachua County, FL.

The water management district accepted the proclamation and presented remarks. 

  • Read and present the proclamation

2.
Presentation of a proclamation recognizing the week of March 16th as National Safe Place Week in Alachua County, Florida - 25-00235

 

Chair Chestnut presented the above proclamation recognizing the week of March 16th as National Safe Place Week in Alachua County, FL.

 

Joy Cullinan accepted the proclamation on behalf of CDS Family and Behavioral Health Services and presented remarks. 

  • Read and present proclamation

3.
Presentation of a proclamation declaring March as National Athletic Training Month in Alachua County, Florida - 25-00214

 

Commissioner Alford presented the above proclamation declaring March as National Athletic Training Month in Alachua County, FL.

 

Patty Tripp, President of the Southeast Athletic Association accepted the proclamation and presented remarks. 

 

  • Read and present the proclamation

G.
Board and Committee Items

 

1.
Rural Concerns Advisory Committee Update – Annual Workplan and Accomplishments Report - 25-00189

 

 Ken McMurry, Senior Planner, Growth Management introduced Dr. Rodney Clouser, RCAC Chair, who provided the Board with an update on the above item.

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

 

  • Hear presentation

H.
Public Comment

 

Chair Chestnut recognized Jim Hines, Khali Blount, Diane Demperio, Brian Bisher, and Tom Pogay who presented comments.

 

Commissioner Prizzia, and Commissioner Wheeler presented comments.

I.
Action Items

 

1.
Renaming of the Budget Inn and Scottish Inn - 25-00202

 

Claudia Tuck, Community Support Services Director presented the above item.

 

Claudia Tuck stated some recommended names are historical, and some names are related to the project itself. 

 

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

 

Deputy Clerk Miller called on each Commissioner for their vote on both Budget Inn and Scottish Inn renaming. 

 

Commissioner Prizzia moved to accept Tumbling Creek Edge and Forest View as the new names for Budget Inn and Scottish Inn respectively.

2nd Commissioner Alford

The motion carried 5-0.

 

Public Comment

Chair Chestnut recognized Khali Blount who presented comments. 

  • Select names for the renaming of the Budget Inn and Scottish Inn

J.
Presentations

 

1.
Public Safety Radio Enhancement Presentation - 25-00187

 

Harold Theus, Chief of Fire Rescue presented the above item to the Board. 

Tower Site- Maintenance 
• Ongoing Maintenance of County operated sites 
• UPS system repair 
• UPS Replacement at another site 
• Generator maintenance at all sites (new agreements) 
• Addition of Back‐up Firewall server 
• Transfer Switch replaced 4 
• HVAC repairs 

 

Tower Site Enhancements 
• Needs‐5 sites 
• Updated Fire Alarm System 
• (ACFR & Public Works) 
• Monitoring systems 
• Environmental 
• System 5 
• Security 

 

Co-Location Tower Sites (GRU) 
• Prime site 
• Replacement of ATS switch 
• Replacement of UPS batteries 
• Autonomous monitoring devices of power supply 6 
• Generator repair, maintenance and load testing 

 

Radio System Update 
• In 2024, Alachua County acquired from GRU, a 6 site, 13 channel, trunked simulcast ASTRO 25 (P25 Phase 1) system utilizing Motorola Solutions’ G‐Series (GTR 8000 Based Radio) equipment configuration at its simulcast sub‐sites 
• The last major system overhaul took place in 2018, upgraded to P25 
• Multi year service agreement established in 2020, expires October 2026 
• Today, GRU provides all network and fiber for the radio system (5 Yr Agreement) 

 

Radio System Challenges 
• System Resilience 
• Today, the Master Site, Prime Site, are all in the same location 
• Risk of system outages, failure, down‐time and lack of coverage 
• Redundancy and backup 
• The County relies solely on the GRU Network and monitoring of that network for the radio system 
• Coverage 
• Increased growth since the system was designed has caused coverage gaps in certain parts of the county. 
• Lifecycle Upgrades 
• Planning for required upgrades for 5-to-10-year life cycle. 

 

Radio System Solutions 
Maximize Efficiency, Increase Reliability, Minimize Footprint
 • Virtual Prime
       • Creates fewer potential points of failure. Requirement for future software enhancements.
 • Geographically Redundant Prime
       • Continuity of simulcast subsystems in event of prime site failure.
 • Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS)
       • Backhaul system to reduce dependency on GRU’s MPLS system.
 • Cirrus Central Core
       • Backup system for CCC in the event of failure. Geo‐redundant cloud backup maintains P25 communications.
 

Costs 
• Option 1 
       • Virtual Prime, Geographically Redundant Prime, MPLS 
       • Approximately $2,100,000 
• Option 2 
       • Virtual Prime, Geographically Redundant Prime, MPLS, Cirrus Central Core 
       • Year 1‐Approximately $2,750,000 
       • Year 2‐5‐Approximately $175,000 per year 
       • Tower sites‐Approximately $125,000 (all sites) 
       • Recurring expense for connectivity 
• Option 3 
       • Virtual Prime, Geographically Redundant Prime, MPLS, Cirrus Central Core 
       • Five Year package price‐$3,107,711 
       • Tower Sites‐Approximately $125,000 (all sites) 
       • Recurring expense for connectivity 

 

Future Enhancements 
• 5‐year plan and upcoming expenses: 
• Cyber Security for Astro 
• SUA Agreement‐Renewal 10/2026 
• AXS Dispatch Consoles‐ 2029 
• Tower Expansion‐2030 11 
       -APX Next Radio’s 

 

Commissioner Alford, Commissioner Prizzia, Melissa Corbollo with Motorola Solutions, Commissioner Alford, Commissioner Prizzia, Scott with ASO, Fire Chief Harold Theus, Commissioner Cornell, and Bart Knowles Chief of Police for UF presented comments. 

  • Hear presentation on status of the Public Safety Radio System (PSRS) since acquisition and seek direction for enhancements to bolster resiliency and redundancy. Staff will explore funding options to support necessary improvements during budget development.

2.
Presentation: Fire Rescue Community Health Plan - 25-00216

 

Harold Theus, Chief of Fire Rescue and Captain Jodie Benware presented the above item. 

 

Current Program 
• Mobile Integrated Health Team 
• Launched in November of 2024 
• Consists of 7 staff members 
• Captain, Mental Health Counselor/Social Worker, Case Manager, Paramedic, EMT, 2 Peer Support Specialist. 
• Provides holistic, person-centered health services, including post emergency interventions, substance abuse management, chronic disease management, and emotional support to residents of Alachua County. 
• To date the team has had over 100 encounters resulting in participants being connected to various resources. 

 

Community Health Opportunities 
• Mobile Integrated Health Team 
• Community Health Workers 
• Coordinated Opioid Recovery 3 
• Medication-Assisted Treatment Services 

 

Consulting Services 
• Camden Coalition of Healthcare Providers
• The Camden Coalition is a multidisciplinary, community-based nonprofit working to improve care for people with complex health and social needs in the city of Camden, across New Jersey, and around the country. 
• Camden Coalition-About Us 

Scope of Work 
• Programmatic organization 
• Structure/Policies/Protocols 
• Best Practices for Complex Community Health Programs 
• Hospital data sharing agreements/community engagement/analytical data reporting metrics 
• Facilitate introductory and continuous training 
• Onboarding and existing staff 

 

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

 

Commissioner Alford exited the meeting at 2:04pm

Commissioner Alford returned to the meeting at 2:10pm

  • Hear Presentation

K.
Public Hearings

 

1.
Z25-000002 – A Request to Amend Section 402.113 of the Unified Land Development Code (ULDC) regarding criteria for approval of special exceptions - 25-00206

 

Gerald Brewington, Senior Planner presented the above item going over the Unified Land Development Code Revision Language. 

 

Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends that the BoCC convene as the Land Development Regulation Committee (LDRC) and find the proposed ULDC amendments consistent with both the Alachua County Code and Comprehensive Plan. The BoCC should then reconvene as the Board and adopt the proposed ULDC amendments.  

 

Commissioner Alford moved to convene as the Land Development Regulation Committee (LDRC) and find the proposed ULDC amendments consistent with both the Alachua County Code and Comprehensive Plan.

2nd Commissioner Prizzia

The motion carried 5-0. 

 

The Land Development Regulation Committee (LDRC) Board then reconvened as the Board of County Commission. 

 

Commissioner Prizzia moved to approve the additions to the land development codes for chapter 404.

2nd Commissioner Wheeler

The motion carried 5-0.

  • Staff recommends that the Board should first convene as the Land Development Regulation Commission (LDRC) and find the proposed amendments consistent with the Alachua County Comprehensive Plan. The Board should then reconvene as the BoCC and adopt Ordinance 2025 – XX approving the requested ULDC amendments.

2.
Adoption Hearing For County-Initiated Amendments To The Unified Land Development Code (ULDC) For Public Road Access, Zoning Setback Affidavit, Survey Monuments, Parking. - 25-00199

 

Angeline Jacobs, AICP Planner II, Growth Management Department presented the above item. 

 

Access to Paved or Unpaved Public Roadways: Including: Fire Rescue Horizontal Clearance & Public Works Right-of-Way:

Staff propose that the Family Homestead Subdivisions and Rural Ag Subdivisions with less than 9 lots allow access to either paved or unpaved publicly maintained roads if the applicant can meet all the other requirements of the ULDC. 

 

407.75 Family Homestead Subdivisions
 (c) A private easement road internal to the subdivision may be utilized where such internal subdivision road must provides a direct connection to a paved or unpaved County maintained public road with sufficient a minimum of 40 feet of right-of-way to meet County standards. and The internal road shall be subject to the following standards: 
(2) b. Minimum 20 18 foot horizontal and 14-foot vertical clearance unless a waiver is approved consistent with the 
Florida Fire Prevention Code Chapter 18. 

(3) In cases where the minimum right of way of the county maintained public road is less than 40 feet. the applicant for a family homestead subdivision may be required to dedicate an amount of the right-of-way that is roughly proportional to the impact of the development along the frontage of the property. 


407.76. Subdivisions with no more than nine lots in the rural agricultural area. 
(c)(2) The private easement road must provide a direct connection to a paved or unpaved County maintained public road with sufficient a minimum of 40 feet of right-of-way to meet County standards. The internal private road may be paved or unpaved, but must meet the minimum requirements in Subsection (g) below. 


407.141 Minimum design and construction standards for streets and drainage systems.
 (7) ... The internal road must have a minimum 20foot horizontal and 14-foot vertical clearance unless a waiver is approved consistent with the Florida Fire Prevention Code Chapter 18. Private internal roads shall be in an easement or common area not less than forty (40) feet in width. Drainage for private internal roads shall be designed to meet the requirements of this ULDC. 

 

New Section:

 402.56.5 Changes to the setbacks of platted lots.
The owner of a lot in an existing platted subdivision may amend the setback shown on the original plat to the zoning district setbacks in Chapter 403 through an administrative process permitted by Sec.401.20 of this ULDC subject to the following:

 (a) The amended setback shall not be less than the zoning setback standards outlined in Chapter 403, unless a variance is approved by the DRC as provided in Chapter 402, Article 26. 

(b) The change shall not affect existing natural resources setbacks. 

(c) Any easements or buffers on the original plat must be avoided unless a re-plat is approved by the BoCC.

 (d) The change shall be documented by the recording the affidavit, signed and stamped by the department, in the Office of the Clerk of the Court in such a manner that it appears in the chain of title of the affected parcel of land. The affidavit shall be in a form established by the department. 

(e) The affidavit is required to be recorded with the Clerk of the Court within one year of approval or prior to the permitting any new structures to be effective. Recording of an affidavit without prior approval from the department will not be recognized as the legal setback for the lot.

 

Staff Recommendation:

 1. Convene as the Land Development Regulation Commission and find the ULDC amendments consistent with the Alachua County Comprehensive Plan. 
2.  Reconvene as the Board of County Commissioners and approve the ordinance and authorize the Chair’s signature on the ordinance. 

 

Commissioner Wheeler moved to Convene as the Land Development Regulation Commission. 

2nd Commissioner Alford

The motion carried 5-0.

 

Commissioner Alford moved to find the ULDC amendments consistent with the Alachua County Comprehensive Plan. 

2nd Commissioner Prizzia

The motion carried 5-0.

 

Commissioner Alford moved to reconvene as the Board of County Commissioners and to move approval of ordinance and authorize the chair signature.

2nd Commissioner Wheeler

The motion carried 5-0.

  • 1. Convene as the Land Development Regulation Commission and find the ULDC amendments consistent with the Alachua County Comprehensive Plan.

    2. Reconvene as the Board of County Commissioners and approve the ordinance and authorize the Chair’s signature on the ordinance.

L.
Items Pulled From Consent

 

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

 

N.
Closing Comments

 

1.
Public Comment

 

2.
County Attorney Comment

 

No comments were presented at this time. 

3.
County Manager Comment

 

County Manager Lieberman stated the following:

- The World Masters has been a wonderful event to go out and see. Also, if any commissioners have the opportunity to go out to the event when they are presenting awards the World Masters would love to have the commissioners present to provide medals to the athletes and participate.

4.
Commission Comment

 

Commissioner Cornell would like to thank the Board for allowing him to participate via zoom in the meeting. 

Commissioner Wheeler expressed that she thinks it would have been a great opportunity for the housing committee to have participated in the renaming of the hotels. Commissioner also stated that she feels Tumbling Creek Side flows better than Tumbling Creek Edge if the Board is ok with it. 

Commissioner Wheeler moved to change Tumbling Creek Edge to Tumbling Creek Side.

2nd Commissioner Prizzia

The motion carried 5-0. 

Commissioner Prizzia expressed concerns that the County Road Project List has CR 234 being repaved except for one 2-mile segment. There are some savings from one project that she would like to apply to CR 234 and then find the additional funding to completely repave CR 234. It does not make sense to her to have an entire new road with one 2-mile segment in bad condition. It would cost an additional $3,100,000 but there is $1,500,000 in savings from another road project. 

Commissioner Alford stated that she would support trying to find the additional funding to completely repave CR 234. 

Commissioner Cornell stated that he is in favor of finding the additional funding and completely repaving CR 234. 

County Manager Lieberman stated that there are several projects that are broken into segments based on the study conducted by staff. This will not be the only project in these circumstances and although there was savings on the one road project the overall list of projects is underfunded. She would like to be able to bring back a report so that the Board is aware of the entire picture of the road project situation. 

By consensus, the Board agreed to have the County Manager bring back a report at an upcoming meeting so the Board can consider the matter.  

Chair Chestnut stated that Merrill Wood Project in Alachua are asking for a demolition of two apartment complexes that are 3-4 bedrooms and they will be replaced with 3–4-bedroom apartments. They are asking for the Board of County Commissioners support. 

Commissioner Alford moved a chair letter in support of Merrill Wood Project in Alachua. 

2nd Commissioner Prizzia

The motion carried 5-0.

 

O.
Adjournment

 

There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 2:43 p.m.

  • To adjourn the meeting. 

P.
Consent Items

 

1.
Commission Services Office

 

2.
Community Support Services

 

1.
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Network Agreement with Vibrant Emotional Health, Inc. - 25-00190

 

  • Approve the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Network Agreement with Vibrant Emotional Health, Inc. and authorize the Chair to execute it.

2.
Gun Violence Prevention Grant Evaluation Team Recommendation for Awards – RFA 25-44-PM - 25-00183

 

  • Approve the recommendations of the Grant Review Committee and authorize the County Manager to execute agreements with the entities on behalf of the County.

3.
County Manager's Office

 

1.
Request to Advertise Updates to Chapter 29 – Art in Public Places - 25-00192

 

  • Authorize staff to advertise updates to Chapter 29 – Art in Public Places

4.
Fire Rescue

 

1.
FY22 and FY23 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Award Interfund Loan Requests - 25-00191

 

  • Authorize an interfund loan up to $570,955 for the FY22 AFG in Fund 080 and an interfund loan up to $661,705 for the FY23 AFG in Fund 081.

2.
Recognize and appropriate unanticipated interest earned on the FY2022-2023 Emergency Medical Services Trust Grant - 25-00193

 

  • Approve the resolution and budget amendment to recognize and appropriate unanticipated interest earned on the FY2022-2023 Emergency Medical Services Trust Fund Grant of $8,305.00

5.
Growth Management

 

1.
Final Plat for Tara Vista Phases 1 and 2 - 25-00203

 

  • The Development Review Committee reviewed the Revised Final Development Plan and Plat at its February 20, 2025 hearing and recommended the Board of County Commissioners approve the Plat for Phase 1 and Phase 2 based on a finding of consistency with Florida Statutes, the Alachua County Comprehensive Plan, and the Alachua County Unified Land Development Code.

2.
Comprehensive Plan Evaluation & Update Notification Letter to State - 25-00201

 

  • Approve the attached letter for signature by the Chair notifying the Florida Department of Commerce that updates to the Alachua County Comprehensive Plan are necessary to reflect changes in state statutory requirements, as required by Sec. 163.3191(1), Florida Statutes.

6.
Human Resources

 

1.
Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Revisions to the Non-Bargaining Pay Plan add Public Works GIS Coordinator - 25-00197

 

  • Request approval of the Fiscal Year 2025 revisions to the Non-Bargaining Pay Plan.

7.
Procurement

 

1.
Award and Agreement with Anderson Columbia Co., Inc. (14345), for Bid 25-513-LC Major Rehabilitation on County Road 234 for Public Works. - 25-00196

 

  • Approve the Award and Agreement, and authorize the Chair to execute Agreement, with Anderson Columbia Co., Inc. (14345), for Bid 25-513-LC Major Rehabilitation on County Road 234, for a total fiscal impact of $3,815,076.67 Project 9237908.

2.
Award to Ad-Wear & Specialty of Texas, Inc. for Bid 25-202-MM Annual Purchase of Uniform T-Shirts for Alachua County Fire Rescue. - 25-00198

 

  • Approve the Award of Bid 25-202-MM Annual Purchase of Uniform T-Shirts for Alachua County Fire Rescue to Ad-Wear & Specialty of Texas, Inc.

3.
Purchase Order to Matthews Bus Alliance, Inc., in the amount of $210,266.00 for Cuscowilla Park via Public Works. - 25-00200

 

  • Approve the issuance of a purchase order to Matthews Bus Alliance, Inc., in the amount of $210,266.00.

4.
Purchase Order to Safeware Inc. in the amount of $68,528.00, for Fire Rescue. - 25-00213

 

  • Approve the issuance of a purchase order to Safeware Inc. in the amount of $68,528.00.

5.
Purchase Order to Opengov Inc., in the amount of $79,979.20 for the Office of Management and Budget. - 25-00219

 

  • Approve the issuance of a purchase order to Opengov Inc., in the amount of $79,979.20.

6.
Award and Agreement with Gray Construction Services, Inc. (14470), for Bid 25-522-LC Transformation of County Facility to Permanent Supportive Housing (Budget Inn), for Facilities Management. - 25-00226

 

  • Approve the Award and authorize the Chair to execute Agreement with Gray Construction Services, Inc. (14470), for Bid 25-522-LC Transformation of County Facility to Permanent Supportive Housing (Budget Inn), for a total fiscal impact of $4,089,435.00.

Q.
Notation for Record

 

1.
Report of Contracts signed by County Manager or Designee in the month of January and February 2025. - 25-00131

 

  • No action necessary. For informational purposes only. The report and a copy of the contracts have been submitted to the Clerk for inclusion into the minutes.

2.
Infrastructure Surtax Oversight Board - November 19, 2024 Minutes - 25-00194

 

  • No action necessary. For informational purposes only.

3.
Economic Development Advisory Committee January 23, 2025 Minutes - 25-00204

 

  • No action necessary. For informational purposes only.

4.
Rural Concerns Advisory Committee Minutes of November 19, 2024, and January 21, 2025 - 25-00205

 

  • No Action necessary. For Informational purposes only

5.
Environmental Protection Advisory Committee (EPAC) Minutes Sept 2024-Jan 2025 - 25-00208

 

  • No action necessary. For informational purposes only

6.
Arts Council – February 3, 2025 Minutes - 25-00215

 

  • No action necessary. For informational purposes only.

R.
Notice of Upcoming Meetings

 
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