Alachua County Board of County Commissioners

Minutes

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

Reverend Melissa Pisco of Celebration United Methodist Church provided the Invocation.

Chair Prizzia led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Chair Prizzia called the meeting to order at 11:36 a.m.

Chair Prizzia recognized Kali Blount who presented comments to the Board. 

  • Resolution Number: Adoption of the Regular and Consent Agenda with moving Item 1 on consent to the Regular Agenda for discussion.
    Moved ByCommissioner Alford
    Seconded ByCommissioner Cornell
    Carried (5 to 0)

Communications Director, Mark Sexton, presented the following announcements:

1. Ribbon Cutting for the Sports Event Center at Celebration Pointe.

2. The Climate Fair at Cuscowilla Nature Center on June 2, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

3. The County is in the process of transitioning to a new agenda system and demonstrated the new software.

County Lobbyist Tom Griffin presented the above item.

Mr. Griffin advised that the legislative session concluded on May 5, 2023. He stated that there were two projects that the County requested State funding. The Archer Braid Connector received $2,500,000.00 and the Meat Processing Plant in Newberry received $1,750,000.00. It is currently awaiting the Governor's signature. 

He stated that the State has pre-empted local Rent Control Efforts. Also the GRU local Bill has passed and will take effect June 1, 2023. 

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

                                                                                       

                                                                                                                                        

  • Resolution Number: Approval of the language of all Proclamations on the agenda.
    Moved ByCommissioner Chestnut
    Seconded ByCommissioner Cornell
    Carried (5 to 0)

Commissioner Cornell read and presented the Proclamation to Veteran Services Director Kim Davis who accepted it with gratitude.

  • Proclaim May 29, 2023, as Memorial Day in Alachua County, FL

Commissioner Alford read and presented the Proclamation to Crisis Center Director Ally Martinez who accepted it with gratitude. 

  • Proclaim May 2023, as Mental Health Awareness Month in Alachua County, Florida

Commissioner Wheeler read and presented the Proclamation to Public Works Director Ramon Gavarrete who accepted it with gratitude. 

  • Proclaim May 21 - May 27, 2023 as National Public Works Week in Alachua County, FL

Commissioner Chestnut read and presented the Proclamation to Internal Auditor Mark Crain who accepted it with gratitude. 

  • Proclaim May as "Internal Audit Awareness Month"

Chair Prizzia recognized Amy Schwartzer who expressed her desire to serve on the Land Conservation Board. 

Deputy Clerk Donahey called on each Commissioner for their one nominee as the Natural Resources Professional Representative. 

The Commission unanimously selected Amy Schwartzer.

  • Resolution Number: Appointment of Amy Schwartzer to a term ending September 30, 2025.
    Moved ByCommissioner Cornell
    Seconded ByCommissioner Chestnut

    Appoint one representative to term ending September 30, 2025.

    Carried (5 to 0)
  • Moved ByCommissioner Cornell
    Seconded ByCommissioner Chestnut

    Appoint one applicant to a partial term beginning 6/01/2023 and ending 9/30/2025 for the specific membership category Actively Involved in Agriculture and/or Silviculture; and appoint one applicant to a partial term beginning 6/01/2023 and ending 9/30/24 and a full term ending 9/30/2027 for the specific membership category Residing in the Unincorporated Area Outside the Urban Cluster Designated in the County Comprehensive Plan.

    Carried (5 to 0)

Deputy Clerk Donahey called on each Commissioner for their one nominee for a the Representative to a term ending April 30, 2025.

Commissioners Chestnut, Cornell, Prizzia, and Wheeler nominated Jerald Cheesborough.

Commissioner Alford nominated Cyndi White. 

  • Resolution Number: Appointment of Jerald Cheesborough as the Representative to a term ending April 30, 2025. Further appointment of Kaitlyn Hof-Mahoney and Cyndi White as the Representatives to terms ending April 30, 2026.
    Moved ByCommissioner Cornell
    Seconded ByCommissioner Chestnut

    Appoint qualified applicants to vacant Citizen at Large positions

    Carried (5 to 0)

Chair Prizzia recognized Cecila Alexander and Cully Lord who presented comments.

Assistant County Manager Tommy Crosby presented the above item.

Commissioner Cornell and Chair Prizzia presented comments. 

  • Moved ByCommissioner Cornell
    Seconded ByCommissioner Chestnut

    Approve the resolution and budget amendment to reallocate the General Rescue Plan Funds into the General Fund but hold off with regards to reaffirming the allocations until the Board discusses them in June.

    Carried (5 to 0)

Storm Water Project Manager Shane Williams and Jones Edmunds Consultant Justin Gregory presented the above item. 

Commissioner Cornell, EPD Director Stephen Hoffstetter, Commissioner Wheeler, and Commissioner Alford presented comments.  

  • Informational presentation, no action required

Animal Resources Director Julie Johnson and Field Services Supervisor Fay, and Assistant County Attorney Diane Johnson presented the above item.

Chair Prizzia, Commissioner Alford, Commissioner Wheeler,  presented comments. 

  • Moved ByCommissioner Cornell
    Seconded ByCommissioner Alford

    Authorize staff to advertise the Public Hearing on the proposed ordinance, as presented for the next available Commission meeting and bring back policies with regard to determinations for inhumane and dangerous dogs. 

    Carried (5 to 0)

Assistant County Manager Gina Peebles presented the above item. 

Commissioner Alford, Chair Prizzia, County Attorney Sylvia Torres, Assistant County Attorney Dave Forziano, Commissioner Cornell, and Commissioner Wheeler presented comments. 

  • Resolution Number: Approve equal distribution between all nine cities ($333,333 for Wild Spaces Public Places and $333,333 for Infrastructure)
    Moved ByCommissioner Cornell
    Seconded ByCommissioner Alford

    Approve equal distribution between all nine cities ($333,333 for Wild Spaces Public Places and $333,333 for Infrastructure). Staff is to develop a standard application form to detail how the grant provides both countywide significance as laid out in the statute, and local significance for their respective municipality and that the form be reviewed by the Oversight Board. 

    Carried (5 to 0)

Fire Chief Harold Theus presented the above item. 

Shands Representative, Chair Prizzia, Commissioner Wheeler, Commissioner Alford, Commissioner Cornell presented comments. 

  • Moved ByCommissioner Cornell
    Seconded ByCommissioner Alford

    Approve the interlocal agreement with UF Health for the funding of the Mobile Stroke Transport Unit, approve the lease agreement for the personnel, authorize the addition of five (5) FTEs (2 EMS Attendants, 2 EMT Drivers, and 1 Captain of EMS), adopt the resolution and approve the budget amendment to recognize the revenue and appropriate the funds, and authorize staff to impact bargain the addition of the Captain of EMS.

    Carried (5 to 0)

Tourist Development Manager Jessica Hurov presented the above item.

Chair Prizzia, Commissioner Cornell, Communications Coordinator Mark Sexton, Commissioner Wheeler, Commissioner Alford, Commissioner Chestnut, County Attorney Torres, Assistant County Attorney Diane Johnson, and County Manager Lieberman presented comments. 

  • Moved ByCommissioner Alford
    Seconded ByCommissioner Cornell

    Direct staff to draft a Chair letter that demonstrates our ability and desire to host the event and provide the vital infrastructure needed. It should also emphasize that the motion received unanimous support.  Also work with Ms. Hurov and the consultant to ensure the letter is acceptable. Authorize the Chair to sign. 

    Carried (5 to 0)

Water Resources Program Manager Stacie Greco presented the above item.

Chair Prizzia announced that the Board will now convene as the Land Development Regulation Commission.

 

  • Resolution Number: Convene as the Land Development Regulation Commission and find the proposed amendments to the Unified Land Development Code consistent with the Alachua County Comprehensive Plan
    Moved ByCommissioner Cornell
    Seconded ByCommissioner Alford

    Convene as the Land Development Regulation Commission and find the proposed amendments to the Unified Land Development Code consistent with the Alachua County Comprehensive Plan. 

    Carried (5 to 0)
  • Moved ByCommissioner Cornell
    Seconded ByCommissioner Chestnut

    Reconvene as the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) and approve the ordinance.

    Carried (5 to 0)

No reports offered.

No reports offered.

Flooding

Commissioner Wheeler stated that she would like to have a discussion in the future regarding legacy flooding in the County. There are homes that flood over and over. She would like for the Board to discuss purchasing these homes so that they will not sell them and create another victim. She stated that several of these families do not want to sell to another family but maybe financially forced to do so. 

Chair Prizzia stated that she would like to discuss this matter as well as the berm for flood protection. 

Public Works Director Ramone Gavarrete presented comments. 

Approved Truck Routes

Commissioner Alford stated that many counties have approved truck routes. They do not worry about truck weights but rather establish approved routes and through GPS it appears that they get 90% compliance from drivers.

Public Works Director Ramone Gavarrete and Assistant County Manager Daniels presented comments. 

Letter of Support

Chair Prizzia requested a letter of support for Rebuilding Together's USDA grant application.

Gun Safety Event

Chair Prizzia stated that the City of Gainesville will be hosting a online gun safety event and she will be providing a recorded statement for the event. She advised that there is a request for the County to step up Public Service Announcements regarding Gun Saftey.

Commissioner Cornell stated that he has had many conversations with City Commissioner Duncan-Walker on this matter .

Chair Prizzia recognized Tamarra Robins who presented comments.

Walk the Walk

Commissioner Alford stated that she just read a book called Walk the Walk tells the story of three communities that have serious crime issues in their communities through forward thinking policies. 

Tourist Development Funds

Chair Prizzia stated that she would like to explore the possiblity of using Tourist Development funds to be used for trail design in order to support applying for a Sun Trails Grant. She would like staff to explore the option and return to the Board with options. 

 

  • Moved ByCommissioner Cornell
    Seconded ByCommissioner Chestnut

    Staff to bring back for discussion the berm on 91st Street and the Grant for the three neighborhoods so the Board could discuss all four options. 

    Carried (5 to 0)
  • Moved ByCommissioner Chestnut
    Seconded ByCommissioner Alford

    Approval of a Chair letter in support of the grant application and authorize the Chair to sign. 

    Carried (5 to 0)
  • Moved ByCommissioner Alford
    Seconded ByCommissioner Cornell

    Refer to staff to investigate creating an approved truck routes map and benchmark against other counties to see how they are doing it and bring that back to us for discussion. 

    Carried (5 to 0)
  • Moved ByCommissioner Cornell
    Seconded ByCommissioner Chestnut

    Refer to the County Communications staff to work with Pastors Association, The Sheriff, and our local police departments for PSA's for gun safety. 

    Carried (5 to 0)
  • Moved ByCommissioner Alford
    Seconded ByCommissioner Chestnut

    To refer to staff to investigate the possibility of using Tourist Development Funds to design trails to support applying for Sun Trails grants when the TDC Grant is brought back. 

    Carried (5 to 0)

Chair Prizzia recognized Tamara Robbins and Kimber Tuck presented comments. 

Commissioner Alford inquired if the new legislation does affect the insurance coverage provided by the County to employees.

County Torres stated that staff is looking into the matter. 

IT Director Kevin Smith presented the above item.

Mr. Smith stated that free phone calls will begin October 1, 2023. A buyout will be required if Securus is not selected. The buyout could be avoided by pushing the RFP out about a year and a half. He provided a tentative timeline as follows for the project:

  • Board Approves Scope of Services May 23, 2023
  • OpenGov Release Project Date June 7, 2023
  • RFP Rankings back to the Board September 2023
  • Final Contract back for Board Approval October 2023

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

Chair Prizzia recognized Kimber Tuck, IT Director Smith, County Attorney Torres, Deputy County Manager Smart, Tamarra Robbins, Max Tipping, Commissioner Cornell, 

Commissioner Cornell requested that staff determine if the reports that the phone system does not work are correct report back to the Board so the service can be fixed. It is a County facility and he would like to ensure that the County commitment to customer service is maintained. It should not be different because the facility is a jail. 

  • Moved ByCommissioner Alford
    Seconded ByCommissioner Wheeler

    Approve the Scope of Services for the Jail Inmate Telephone System

    Carried (5 to 0)

Administrative Support Manager for Court Services Ron Akins presented the above item. 

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

Chair Prizzia recognized Kimber Tuck, Alex Hood, Sheila Payne, Tamarra Robbins, and Max Tipping who presented comments.

Chair Prizzia recognized Tamara Robbins. Max Tippings, Alex Hood, Kimber Tuck, and Sheila Payne who presented comments on the second motion.

  • Moved ByCommissioner Alford
    Seconded ByCommissioner Wheeler

    Moved to remove all discretionary fees at the Jail. 

    Carried (5 to 0)
  • Moved ByCommissioner Cornell
    Seconded ByCommissioner Wheeler
    1. Refer to staff to bring back to the Board prior to the adoption of the annual fees a County best practices of other Counties as fas as what they are doing to reduce fees, particularly Miami-Dade. 
    2. Staff to contact the Sheriff and inform him of the Board's action to eliminate discretionary fees tonight and request he report to the Board the status of the commissary fees. 
    3. Adopt the Resolution presented by the County Attorney. 
    Carried (5 to 0)

There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 6:28 p.m.

  • To adjourn the meeting. 

  • The Development Review Committee reviewed the Replat at its May 11, 2023 hearing and recommended that the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) approve the Replat based on a finding of consistency with Florida Statutes, the Alachua County Comprehensive Plan, and the Alachua County Unified Land Development Code.

  • The Development Review Committee reviewed the replat at its May 11, 2023 hearing and recommended that the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) approve the Replat based on a finding of consistency with Florida Statutes, the Alachua County Comprehensive Plan, and the Alachua County Unified Land Development Code

  • Accept the grant and authorize the Chair and Clerk to execute the agreement as presented; authorizing the County Manager to sign all future grant related documents and agreements. Waive the County indemnification policy for this agreement.

  • Approve the issuance of Change Order 2 to Blanket Purchase Order 23-137 to Murray Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in the amount of $50,000.00, for the purchase of parts, supplies, and services for Public Works, Fleet Management. The revised Blanket Purchase Order Total is $100,000.00.

  • Approve the issuance of a Purchase Order to SHI International Corp., in the amount of $60,914.64, for the purchase of Office 365, Exchange in the Microsoft Southeast Government Cloud, Windows Server licenses, and Remote Access licenses for the State Attorney’s Office. Pricing per Sourcewell Request for Proposal (RFP) # 081419.

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