Alachua County Special Meeting

Minutes

-
Micanopy Town Hall
706 NE Cholokka Boulevard, Micanopy, FL 32667
Present:
  • Chair Mary Alford, 
  • Vice Chair Charles S. Chestnut, IV, 
  • Commissioner Ken Cornell, 
  • Commissioner Anna Prizzia, 
  • and Commissioner Marihelen Wheeler 

A.
Call To Order

 

Mayor Jiana Williams called the meeting to order and introduced the commission to all citizens. 

B.
Welcome

 

C.
Introduction

 

D.
Adoption of the Agenda

 

Commissioner Prizzia moved to approve agenda.

2nd Commissioner Wheeler 

The motion carried 5-0.

  • To approve the Agenda. 

E.
Items For Discussion

 

1.
Fire Service Schedule Update

 

Fire Chief Harold Theus presented an update on the above item to the Commission. 

 

Equipment Ordered

- Engine 64

  • 10/24

- Tanker 64

  • 3/24

Brush 64

  • 7/24

 

Station Build Out

- Proposed station location: 

  • 12214 SW US 441 - 5 acres purchased from Alachua County Trust (ACT)

- Manufactured home already on site

- Metal Building to house apparatus

  • Ordered May 8th Delivery expected June 26th, permit expected June 30th
  • Scheduling Roadway with DOT

 

Chair Alford, Fire Chief Theus, Commissioner Cornell, Fire Chief Theus, a citizen, Mayor Jiana Williams, Commissioner Ken Wessberg, and Commissioner Wheeler presented comments. 

2.
Roads Update

 

Public Works Director Ramon Gavarrete presented the above item. 

 

Mr. Gavarrete gave a brief update to the commission and stated that there are 3 major roadway projects for the Micanopy area totaling $9,194,373.00

 

Mayor Jiana Williams, Public Works Director Ramon Gavarrete, and Chair Alford presented comments.

 

Public Comment

Chair Alford recognized a citizen who presented comments. 

3.
City's Proposed Infrastructure Surtax Partnership Project(s) Update

 

Town clerk Sara Owen presented the above item. 

2024 Wild spaces Public Places proposed Projects

- Ballfield Lighting

  • Estimated Cost $300,000
  • Town Contribution $150,00

- Preserve Restrooms

  • Estimated Cost $100,000
  • Town Contribution $50,000

- Preserve/Annex Trails

  • Estimated Cost $25,000
  • Town Contribution $12,500

- Thrasher Warehouse Museum

  • Estimated Cost $50,000
  • Town Contribution $25,000

- Fire Station Playground Upgrades

  • Estimated Cost $50,000
  • Town Contribution $25,000

All projects are 50/50 match.

Proposed projects are for the nonrecurring matching funds.

 

Chair Alford, Town Clerk Sara Owen, Commissioner Wheeler, Chair Alford, Commissioner Prizzia, Commissioner Cornell, Commissioner Wheeler, a citizen, Town Clerk Sara Owen, a citizen, County Attorney Sylvia Torres, Chair Alford, and Town Clerk Sara Owen presented comments. 

4.
Gun Violence Update

 

Assistant County Manager Missy Daniels presented the above Gun Violence update.

 

Completed Actions

  • Fully executed Memorandum of Understanding completed with the City of Gainesville, Santa Fe College and Alachua County
  • Developed a partnership with black-on-black crime task force
  • Developed a public safety task force with representatives from law enforcement agencies throughout the county 
  • Combined staff has developed the Alachua County Gun Violence prevention alliance comprised with stakeholders from throughout Alachua County to develop and help come up with gun violence prevention strategies. 
  • The first meeting of the alliance was held June 5th, 2024, the alliance may accept additional members.

 

In Progress

  • Reviewing a proposal from Cure Violence Global a national organization to provide training to non-profit and grassroot organizations. To prevent and intervene in gun violence in their neighborhoods 
  • Received a commitment of $250,000 in funding for gun violence efforts from Children's Trust of Alachua County (CTAC). Presently meeting with the City of Gainesville and CTAC to determine the best use of those funds. 
  • Sheriff's office has provided an initial supply of 75-gun safety locks for distribution that promote the Veterans Crisis Line and 988 Crisis Hotline
  • Developing a small Grant Initiative request for applications for non-governmental emerging small business to conduct Primary, secondary, and tertiary gun violence prevention programs. 
  • Staff of Alachua County Victim Services, the Rape Crisis Center, and Gainesville Fire Rescue center are planning a Family Fun Day at Cone Park that will provide helpful information on gun violence prevention to youth and parents.

 

Commissioner Prizzia, Chair Alford, Bishop Stokes, Commissioner Prizzia, and Chair Alford presented comments. 

 

F.
Public Comment

 

Chair Alford recognized Bishop Stokes, and a citizen who presented comments.

G.
Commission General Comments and Information Discussion

 

1.
County Commission Comment

 

Commissioner Cornell would like to thank everyone for attending the meeting. Commissioner stated he encourages everyone to watch a documentary on Netflix called live to 100 secrets of the blue zone. It is 5 short series about 30 minutes each it has great information. Commissioner stated he believes the city and county are stronger together and is happy to see the unity the town has shown. 

Commissioner Wheeler states she has had a great six years on the commission and enjoys seeing how much the community of Micanopy has grown. Commissioner states Cuscowilla Park is open on the weekends for swimming please take advantage and enjoy the pool it is only $5 a person per visit and $25 for the summer season pass. 

Commissioner Prizzia stated she is happy that the citizens feel as if the commission is listening and helping. She plans to continue to help whenever she can and support the citizen's needs.

Commissioner Chestnut would like to thank everyone for attending the meeting. He believes the relationship with all the small cities and county has gotten better and he would like everyone to know that they are listening to the needs of everyone

Chair Alford would like to thank everyone for attending the meeting. Also, Chair stated the Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization (MTPO) has voted to expand the MTPO Boundaries to incorporate the entire county and will be looking for participation on the Council from the small cities. If you want to have something to say to DOT you will now have a forum to speak to DOT and advocate for state roads at a county level no matter what the issue is. Chair also spoke on how impressed she is with all the work the city of Micanopy is doing.

2.
Town Commission Comment

 

City Commissioner David Massey is excited to be a new member on the Town Commission and is looking forward to working with everyone. 

City Commissioner Kevin P would like to thank the County for everything they do collaborating with the Town of Micanopy and also thank the citizens for all that they do. 

City Mayor Jiana Williams would like to thank the citizens for taking time to come to the meeting also Mayor Williams would like to say thank you everyone for your individual and collaborative work. 

City Commissioner Ken W stated he would like to thank the County for listening to the Town needs.

H.
Adjourn

 

There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m.

  • To adjourn the meeting. 

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