Alachua County Special Meeting

Minutes

-
Gainesville City Hall Auditorium
200 E University Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32601
Present:
  • Commissioner Mary Alford, 
  • Chair Charles S. Chestnut, IV, 
  • Vice Chair Ken Cornell, 
  • and Commissioner Marihelen Wheeler 
Absent:
  • Commissioner Anna Prizzia 

A.
Call To Order

 

City Mayor Ward called the joint meeting to order at 1:00pm.

 

County Chair Chestnut called the joint meeting to order at 1:00pm.

B.
Welcome

 

C.
Introduction

 

D.
Adoption of the Agenda

 

Commissioner Cornell moved to approve the agenda.

2nd Commissioner wheeler

The motion carried 4-0 with Commissioner Prizzia absent.

 

City Commissioner Eastman moved approval of the agenda. 

2nd City Commissioner Willits

The motion carried 6-0 with City Commissioner Saco absent.

  • To approve the Agenda. 

E.
Items For Discussion

 

1.
Street Light Payment in the Unincorporated Area

 

Phillip R. Mann, P.E. special advisor to the city manager for infrastructure & capital projects presented the above item. 

 

City Mayor Ward, City Commissioner Eastman, City Commissioner Book, City Commissioner Willits, Commissioner Cornell, City Mayor Ward, Commissioner Alford, City Commissioner Moore Chestnut, City Commissioner Book, City Commissioner Willits, Assistant County Manager Tommy Crosby, Chair Chestnut, and Assistant County Manager Missy Daniels presented comments. 

 

Commissioner Cornell moved to refer to staff the fire hydrant and the public street lighting service agreement and ask that they meet with GRU staff and bring back recommendations for analyzing the agreement which would involve but not limited to a franchise fee study. 

2nd Commissioner Alford

The motion carried 4-0 with Commissioner Prizzia absent.

 

City Commissioner Moore Chestnut moved to notify GRU of the dilemma, The county commission will undertake a study regarding payment for streetlights and fire hydrants in the unincorporated area that GRU is using in the right of way. Also, ask county staff to bring back recommendations and suggestions at the next joint city county meeting also including historical data. 

2nd City Commissioner Duncan-Walker

The motion passed 5-1 with City Commissioner Willits voting "Nay" and Commissioner Saco absent.

 

Public Comment

Chuck Ross, and Jim Konish presented comments.

 

 

 

2.
Joint Surtax Project Grant Application

 

Phillip R. Mann, P.E. special advisor to the city manager for infrastructure & capital projects presented the above item. 

Betsy Waite, P.E. Wild Spaces & Public Places Director presented the above item.

 

Staff Recommendation: staff recommends the board of county commission hear presentation from staff on proposed joint city county wild spaces projects from 4/20/23 to 2032 and provide feedback.  

City Commissioner Willits, City Commissioner Duncan-Walker, Commissioner Wheeler, Commissioner Cornell, and Chair Chestnut presented comments.

 

Commissioner Cornell exits the meeting at 2:26pm

Commissioner Cornell returns to the meeting at 2:30pm

 

Commissioner Cornell moved to approve the presentation as follow:

$3M County Partnership Funding – Divided between the 9 municipalities ($333,333 for the City of Gainesville for this round of WSPP). 
Proposed Project: 
- NE 31st Avenue Trail (NE 15th Street to NE Waldo Road), $333,333

 

$3M County Partnership Funding – Dedicated to the City of Gainesville. 
Proposed projects:
- Thelma A. Boltin Center, $1,500,000 
- 8th and Waldo, $1,000,000 
- Sweetwater Wetlands Park Visitor’s Center, $500,000

 

The motion passed 4-0 with Commissioner Prizzia absent.

3.
One Nation One Project GNV Data Review and Best Practices Presentation

 

Brittany Coleman, MA,  Gun Violence Intervention Program Manager, Gainesville Fire Rescue introduced  Cherie Kelly, M.A., Youth Services and Educational Programs Manager, Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs and Brandy Stone, MPH, CPH, Director of Community Health Initiatives, Gainesville Fire Rescue who presented the above item. 

ONOP GNV Project Goals 

1. Increased arts and cultural programs for youth (ages 5-24)
2. Increased engagement of youth impacted by gun violence and at high risk for gun violence in arts/cultural programs
3. Improved mental health and well-being for youth in these programs
4. Increased multi-sector collaboration in our community
5. Evaluate the impact
6. Create sustainable models 

 

Commissioner Alford, Commissioner Wheeler, City Commissioner Duncan-Walker, Executive Liaison Carl Smart, Commissioner Cornell, City Mayor Ward, and City Commissioner Book presented comments. 

 

Public Comment

Donald Chuck presented comments. 

4.
Camping on Public Right-of-Way, Property, and Parks

 

Phillip R. Mann, P.E. special advisor to the city manager for infrastructure & capital projects presented the above item. 

The city just adopted ordinance 2024-97, This ordinance will provide the city with an enforcement mechanism against public camping or sleeping, which is in compliance and consistent with the Camping Statute. It will be a code violation to publicly camp or sleep on city property, city parks, or right of way. The city goal is to provide services to the citizens most in need. 

 

Commissioner Cornell, Commissioner Wheeler, City Mayor Ward, Commissioner Alford, Chair Chestnut, and City Commissioner Eastman all presented comments. 

 

F.
Commission General Comments and Information Discussion

 

1.
County Commission Comment

 

Commissioner Cornell states he was able to meet the new superintendent Patton who is a member of CTAC and he is really encouraged by what he sees being done at the school board. 

2.
City Commission Comment

 

City Commissioner Book introduced Mr. Brock to the commissioners and invited him to speak briefly on the improvements he would like to see to a florida state statue 316-305 related to distracted driving. 

 

City Commissioner Book moved for the city commission to refer to the city attorney to review the statue 316-305 for potential enhancements, and to review the resolution sent by Mr. Brock. 

2nd City Commissioner Duncan-Walker

The motion passed 4-0 with commissioners Moore Chestnut, Willits and Saco all absent.

 

Commissioner Cornell moved to refer the resolution to county staff to bring back.

2nd Commissioner Wheeler

The motion carried 4-0 with Commissioner Prizzia absent.

G.
Adjourn

 

There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 4:40 p.m.

  • To adjourn the meeting. 

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