Alachua County Special Meeting

Minutes

Monday, April 15, 2024 at 6:00 P.m. - 8:00 P.m.

Archer Community Center

16671 SW 137th Avenue, Archer, FL 32618

Present:

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

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A.

Call To Order

Vice Chair Chestnut called the meeting to order at 6:07 p.m.

B.

Welcome

C.

Introduction

1.

Mayor Iris Bailey, City of Archer

2.

Chair Mary Alford, Alachua County Commission

D.

Adoption of the Agenda

Commissioner Cornell moved adoption of the agenda as printed. The motion carried 4-0 with Chair Alford out of the room.

2nd Commissioner Prizzia 

E.

Items For Discussion

1.

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

City of Archer Manager Tony Hammond presented the above item.

Mr. Hammond stated that the City is proposing only one project at this time which is a community center with an estimated cost of $900.000. A grant the City received which is an African Historical Grant will provide $500,000 of the funding. The City intends to use the Wild Spaces portion of the surtax to fund the remaining balance. 

Commissioner Cornell and Commissioner Prizzia presented comments. 

Mayor Bailey recognized Bill Lewandowski, Lori Costello, Carolyn, Kevin Stevens, and Roberta Lopez presented comments. 

2.

Archer Roads Program Timeline - 24-00350

Assistant Director of Public Works Brian Kauffman presented the above item.

Mr. Kauffman provided a list of projects with the timelines under the County's 10 Year Plan. He advised that there are two projects slated for the City of Archer. The first is County Road SW 170th from the Elementary School to the County Line. Bids have been received and a contract with Watson Construction should be in front of the Board for approval within 30 days. The travel lanes will be widened to 11 feet and the road will have a 4-foot shoulder added. The second project is a flashing beacon system crosswalk by the elementary school for the children. That project is scheduled for the year 2025. 

Mayor Penny recognized Commissioner Prizzia who presented comments. 

Mayor Penny recognized Lori Costello who expressed concern regarding the drop off on the edge of the road for CR 346 and 170th Street. She also had concerns regarding the sidewalks on 170th having portions that are uneven and parts that have been overgrown by vegetation. 

Mr. Kauffman stated that it is possible to place some material to temporarily deal with the drop offs and that Public Works would have to inspect the sidewalks. 

Mayor Bailey recognized two citizens who presented comments to the Board regarding potholes on CR 346 and concerns for signage warning of the crossroads or a flashing light at 194th street. The traffic is traveling at high speeds and accidents occur with vehicles pulling on to the crossroad. 

Mr. Kauffman stated that the County just demonstrated a new milling machine and is currently learning to properly use the equipment. The concept is to rather than fill potholes in large sections to simply try and remill the severely damaged area. 

Commissioner Cornell and City Commissioner White presented comments. 

3.

SR 24 / Archer Road Widening Update - 24-00352

Growth Management Director Jeff Hays presented the above item.

Mr. Hays stated that the County did file a Legislative Budget Request for the design of 4 Laning Archer Road from 75th Street to 122nd Street. The request is part of the State budget and awaiting the Governor's signature. 

Mayor Bailey recognized Bill Lewandowski who presented comments to the Board. 

F.

Public Comment

Mayor Bailey recognized City of Archer Attorney Danielle Adams and Roberta Lopez who presented comments. 

Chair Alford entered at 6:52 P.M.

Commissioner Chestnut, Commissioner Cornell, and Commissioner Prizzia presented comments. 

Commissioner Prizzia moved to refer this to staff to review for cost analysis and recommendations for possible road projects and return to the Board with recommendations. 

2nd Commissioner Cornell

Commissioner Wheeler and Chair Alford presented comments. 

The motion carried 5-0. 

Mayor Bailey recognized Bill Lewandowski who presented comments to the Board. 

G.

Commission General Comments and Information Discussion

1.

County Commission Comment

Commissioner Prizzia stated that the County has been working with the Property Appraiser's Office on the issue of Heir's Property. There will be upcoming workshops and she encouraged citizens to participate. 

Ms. Prizzia further stated that the County is working to protect farmland with the use of Conservation Easements and encouraged any citizen who is interested to contact the County. 

Commissioner Wheeler discussed the cement plant proposal that will be heard by the City of Archer Commission soon and the Charter School Initiative. 

Commissioner Cornell encouraged the City of Archer to use the resources available through the County Environmental Protection Department during the upcoming cement plant hearing. 

Commissioner Chestnut thanked the City of Archer for hosting the meeting and the citizens for their participation. 

Chair Alford apologized for being late but stated she is encouraged by the size of the crowd, and she is so proud of the city. She also stated that the County is partnering with the City of Archer to plant trees at no cost to the citizen. The County will maintain the tree for the first three years to get it established. If anyone is interested, she encouraged them to contact the County. 

2.

City Commission Comment

City Commissioner Green thanked the County Commission for coming to the City of Archer and expressed her disapproval of the Charter School Initiative. 

City Commissioner White expressed her gratitude for the Commission for visiting Archer. 

City Commissioner Hope thanked the citizens of Archer for the high level of participation in the City of Archer. 

City Commissioner Penny thanked the County Commissioners for visiting Archer and listening to the plans the City of Archer is working on. 

Mayor Bailey thanked everyone for their participation. She expressed her disapproval of the Charter School Initiative. She advised that the vote count will be Wednesday at Newberry City Hall. She stated this is the largest crowd she has seen at a city meeting and was encouraged by the citizen participation. The city will be having another Town Hall Meeting in June and encouraged everyone to attend. 

H.

Adjourn

There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 7:25 p.m.