Alachua County Special Meeting

Minutes

-
Hawthorne City Hall Auditorium
6875 SE 221st Street, Hawthorne, FL 32640
Present:
  • Chair Charles S. Chestnut, IV, 
  • Vice Chair Ken Cornell, 
  • Commissioner Anna Prizzia, 
  • and Commissioner Marihelen Wheeler 
Absent:
  • Commissioner Mary Alford 

A.
Call To Order

 

Chair Chestnut called the meeting to order at 6:30pm

B.
Welcome

 

C.
Introduction

 

D.
Adoption of the Agenda

 

City Commissioner Howard moved approval of the agenda.

2nd City Commissioner Bouie-Hutchinson

The motion carried 5-0.

 

Commissioner Cornell moved approval of the agenda.

2nd Commissioner Prizzia

The motion carried 4-0 with Commissioner Alford absent.

  • To approve the Agenda. 

E.
Items For Discussion

 

1.
Multi-Purpose Facility

 

No presentation was given but a brief discussion was had amongst the County and City regarding the above item.

 

City Manager Thompson stated the city is looking for locations to put the facility and will be applying for funding. City Manager states he believes it’s $1.2 million in total from WSPP funding to date. The city will be applying for another $333K from WSPP. 

 

County Manager Lieberman, City Manager Robert Thompson, Commissioner Prizzia, Commissioner Wheeler, City Commissioner Patricia Bouie-Hutchinson, and Mayor Jacquelyn Randall all presented comments. 

2.
School Crossings on SR 301 & SR 20

 

Alachua County Senior Transportation Planner Jessica Kluttz presented the above item. 

 

- Considering a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon at intersection

- Crossing will be along the southside of the intersection. 

- State funded: FDOT "Push Button Contract"

- Projected expected to begin construction in 2026

- Other crossing opportunities and pedestrian safety measures are being evaluated as part of the Countywide Bicycle Pedestrian Master plan & Safe streets and Roads for all action plan. 

 

Commissioner Wheeler, Senior Transportation Planner Jessica Kluttz, Mayor Randall, Commissioner Cornell, Commissioner Prizzia, Mayor Randall, City Commissioner Howard, and City Commissioner Cue all presented comments. 

 

Public Comment

Gilbert Randall, Servia Davone, Kathy Walters, and Elaine Williams presented comments.

3.
Timeline for In-Kind Services

 

Alachua County Public Works Director Ramon Gavarrete presented a brief update of the above item. 

 

The county has been doing In-kind Services with the City of Hawthorne and will be discussing putting out millings in the city to help repair their dirt roads. The county has also done signage, ditch cleaning and other in-kind services on a request basis.   

 

Commissioner Cornell, City Manager Robert Thompson, and Mayor Randall presented comments.

 

Public Comment

Mayor Randall recognized Wilson Guthrie who presented comments. 

4.
Tree Planting Program Update

 

Alachua County Arborist Lacy Holtzworth presented the above item asking the City of Hawthorne to participate in planting more trees in Hawthorne. 

 

  • Priority Projects

locating trees along the streets and routes where people walk, ride bikes or wait for transportation

 

  • Community Projects

locating trees that facilitate shade and buffering where people gather like schools, parks and parking lots. 

 

This agreement will help support potential tree planting projects at schools, churches and similar quasi-public spaces. 

 

Commissioner Cornell, Commissioner Prizzia, Mayor Randall, and Commissioner Bouie-Hutchinson presented comments. 

 

The City Commission directed staff to move forward with the Interlocal Agreement with Alachua County for the tree planting program and bring it back before the city commission.

 

Public Comment

Mr. Gilbert Randall, and Mr. Servia Davon presented comments. 

5.
Santa Fe Outpost Discussion

 

Commissioner Wheeler briefly discussed the above item. 

Commissioner Wheeler stated there is Santa Fe Outpost in Archer and Alachua and would like to see one in Hawthorne for the students that don’t have the transportation for dual enrollment so the students can take advantage of the college experience. Commissioner has spoken with Dr. Brody and all important connects. She would like to see if this is something that the Cit of Hawthorne would like and if so, she believes the Hawthorne Commission and Hawthorne residents should take the lead to show this what the city and residents want. 

 

Mayor Randall, Commissioner Cornell, Commissioner Prizzia, and Commissioner Wheeler presented comments. 

 

Commissioner Cornell moved to write a joint chair/mayor letter to Dr. Brody and all stake holders relevant asking to formally explore looking into a santa fe outpost in the city of Hawthorne.

2nd Commissioner Prizzia

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

 

Commissioner Howard moved to mirror the county motion. 

2nd Commissioner Bouie-Hutchinson

The motion passed 5-0.

6.
Letters of Support for State Legislative Priorities

 

Chair Chestnut and the city/county board briefly discussed the above item. 

 

Mayor Randall, Commissioner Cornell, Vice Mayor Patricia Hutchinson, Commissioner Wheeler, Commissioner Prizzia, Steve Hofstetter, and County Manager Lieberman all presented comments. 

 

Public Comment

A citizen presented comments. 

7.
Economic Development - 25-00417

 

F.
Public Comment

 

There were no comments presented at this time. 

G.
Commission General Comments and Information Discussion

 

1.
County Commission Comment

 

Commissioner Wheeler stated she attended the blueberry festival and it was very nice. She loved seeing the beautiful crafts sold at these types of events.  

Commissioner Cornell stated it was a great meeting, and a great agenda. He would like to say congrats on city manager permanent higher, thank you to the mayor for reaching out to CTAC, and thank you to all the citizens for attending.

 

Commissioner Prizzia would like to say thank you everyone for attending the meeting, if you like government there are open spots on multiple advisory boards with the county. Also thank you to the mayor and City Commissioners. 

 

Chair Chestnut would like to say thank you to everyone for participating and sharing your ideas and concerns regarding your community. He thinks that having a santa fe outpost would be a great opportunity for the community of Hawthorne. 

2.
City Commission Comment

 

Commissioner Howard said thank you to the County Commissioners and County staff for coming out to Hawthorne. It was a great meeting as usual. Look forward to working with the county in the coming years. 


Vice Mayor Bouie-Hutchinson would like to say thank you to the county for coming out and believe this was the most effective meeting between the two commission boards. 


Commissioner Cue would like to say thank you to the County Commissioners and your staff for coming to Hawthorne. He is still in the learning phase but learned a lot tonight at this meeting.  


Commissioner Martin would like to say thank you to the County Commissioners and your staff and thank you for your willingness to work with the City of Hawthorne.

 
Mayor Randall would like to say thank you for listening to us a community and being so swift with your willingness to help and champion for the City of Hawthorne. 

H.
Adjourn

 

There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 8:18 p.m.

  • To adjourn the meeting. 

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