Alachua County Board of County Commissioners

Minutes

Tuesday, October 10, 2023 at 11:30 A.m. - 12:30 P.m.

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 

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A.

Invocation

Deputy County Manager Carl Smart provided the Invocation.

B.

Pledge of Allegiance

Chair Prizzia led the Pledge of Allegiance. 

C.

Call to Order

Chair Prizzia called the meeting to order at 11:32 a.m.

D.

Approval of Regular and Consent Agenda

Commissioner Cornell moved adoption of the Regular and Consent Agenda with the following amendments:

Removed from Consideration

Item #4, Approval of Work Scope for Fresh Food Pathways Program Management Services - 23-00612

Item pulled from Consent for discussion

Item #9a, 11th Amendment to Agreement #9675 between Alachua County and GFL Solid Waste Southeast, LLC for Solid Waste, Recyclable Materials, and Yard Trash Collection. - 23-00603

Chair Prizzia recognized Tamara Robbins who presented comments to the Board. 

The motion carried 4-0 with Commissioner Chestnut out of the room. 

Commissioner Cornell stated that food insecurity was a large concern of the Children's Trust last meeting. He requested that the Manager have Mr. McLendon or the appropriate staff member reach out to the Children's Trust prior to Item #4 being brought back to the Board.

E.

Announcements

Communications Director, Mark Sexton, presented the following announcements:

• October is National Arts and Humanities Month. This Thursday, October 12, 2023 in the Hippodrome Theater there will be a live streaming event release of the results of he National Arts Survey as well as the local results of the economic impacts of the Arts on the economy. 

F.

Approval of Recognitions

Commissioner Cornell moved approval of all Proclamations on the agenda. The motion carried 4-0 with Commissioner Chestnut out of the room. 

2nd Commissioner Wheeler

1.

Approval of Proclamation Declaring October 2023 “Cybersecurity Awareness Month”, in Alachua County, Florida - 23-00599

Commmissioner Cornell read and presented the Proclamation to IT Director Kevin Smith who accepted it with gratitude. 

2.

Approval of a Proclamation Declaring October 2023, “American Pharmacists Month” in Alachua County, Florida - 23-00600

Commissioner Wheeler read and presented the picture to Bill Garst and Tim Rogers who accepted it with gratitude. 

3.

Retirement Recognition for John Nazal, Traffic Maintenance Supervisor, Public Works Department - 23-00637

HR Manager Wanda Santana presented a token of appreciation to John Nazal who has served the citizens of Alachua County for 50 years. 

Chair Prizzia, County Manager Lieberman, Commissioner Cornell, Commissioner Alford, and Commissioner Wheeler presented comments. 

4.

Recognition of Court Services Staff for their Pretrial Re-Accreditation - 23-00648

Deputy County Manager Carl Smart and County Manager Lieberman presented the above item to the Court Services Staff. 

Assistant Director of Court Services Joe Lipsky and Commissioner Alford presented comments. 

5.

Recognition of Alachua County Office of the Jail Staff on their Accreditation - 23-00650

County Manager Lieberman and Sheriff Emory Gainey presented the above item.

Commissioner Cornell and Captain Kailey Bulle presented comments.  

• Recognize the Alachua County Office of the Jail staff on their accreditation

G.

Board and Committee Items

1.

Appoint Full Member to Arts Council Vacancy with a Term Ending September 30, 2024. - 23-00597

Deputy Clerk Donahey called on each Commissioner for their one nominee for the Arts Council Representative.

Commissioners Alford, Cornell, Prizzia, and Wheeler nominated Christine Johnson.

Commissioner Cornell moved appointment of Christine Johnson as the Representative to a term ending September 30, 2024.The motion carried 4-0 with Commissioner Chestnut out of the room. 

2nd Commissioner Alford

Deputy Clerk Donahey called on each Commissioner for their one nominee for the Alternate Representative.

Commissioners Alford, Cornell, Prizzia, and Wheeler nominated Amy Koester. 

Commissioner Cornell moved appointment of Amy Koester as the Alternate Representative. The motion carried 4-0 with Commissioner Chestnut out of the room. 

2nd Commissioner Alford 

2.

Consider applications for Economic Development Advisory Board with a term ending September 30, 2025 & a term ending September 30, 2026 - 23-00619

Chair Prizzia recognized Trenton Hightower who expressed his desire to serve on the Economic Development Advisory Committee. 

Deputy Clerk Donahey called on each Commissioner for their two nominees for the Actively Engaged in Economic Development Representatives.

Commissioner Alford nominated Patricia Lee and Trenton Hightower.

Commissioners Cornell, Prizzia, and Wheeler nominated Kinnon Thomas and Trenton Hightower.

Commissioner Cornell moved appointment of Kinnon Thomas as the Representative to a four-year term and Trenton Hightower as the Representative to a three-year term. The motion carried 4-0 with Commissioner Chestnut out of the room. 

2nd Commissioner Alford

H.

Public Comments

Chair Prizzia recognized Kali Blount, Alford Dickerson, James Loften, Tamara Robbins, Pam Lehaf, Telford Cartwright, and Sophia Abolfathi who presented comments.

Chair Prizzia requested that staff reach out to Alford Dickerson regarding the Veterans Services and James Loften regarding the fence line issue. 

I.

Commission Response to the Public

J.

Items Pulled From Consent

1.

11th Amendment to Agreement #9675 between Alachua County and GFL Solid Waste Southeast, LLC for Solid Waste, Recyclable Materials, and Yard Trash Collection. - 23-00603

Solid Waste Director Gus Olmos presented the above item.

Commissioner Cornell moved to approve and authorize the Chair to execute the 11th Amendment 9675 with GFL Solid Waste Southeast, LLC for Solid Waste, Recyclable Materials, and Yard Trash Collection. The motion carried 4-0 with Commissioner Chestnut absent.

2nd Commissioner Wheeler

Commissioner Wheeler presented comments. 

K.

Presentations

1.

2023 Quarter 3 July-September Length of Service Presentation - 23-00631

Human Resources Manager Wanda Santana presented the above item. 

2.

2024 Legislative Priorities Discussion - 23-00635

County Lobbyist Tom Griffin presented the above item. 

Commissioner Cornell moved the following:

1. To approve the priorities and direct the Chair to present them at the Legislative Delegation Meeting on October 25.

2. Ask the County Lobbyist to work with the Federal Lobbyist regarding any efforts associated with the Inflation Reduction Act and working directly with federal contracting efforts, lend the County support to any legislation filed for the Community Development Finances Institutes legislation, and the National Infrastructure Bank. The County may also lend support to the Food is Medicine Legislation if it gets a sponsor. 

Commissioner Alford, Commissioner Cornell, EPD Director Stephen Hoffstetter, Chair Prizzia, Commissioner Alford, and County Manager Lieberman presented comments. 

Public Comment

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

The motion carried 4-0 with Commissioner Chestnut out of the room. 

L.

Action Items

1.

Pine Hill Forest Strategic Ecosystem Special Area Study Scope of Work - 23-00594

Senior Planner Ben Chumley presented the above item. 

Commissioner Wheeler moved to approve the Scope of Work in accordance with Unified Land Development Code Section 402.100(b).

Commissioner Wheeler, Commissioner Cornell and Chair Prizzia presented comments. 

2nd Commissioner Alford

Public Comments

Nicole Mullally, Chair Prizzia, Commissioner Cornell, Growth Management Director Jeff Hays, Commissioner Alford, and Commissioner Cornell presented comments. 

The motion carried 4-0 with Commissioner Chestnut out of the room.

2.

Request to Advertise A Public Hearing to consider Updates to the Recreation and Fire Protection Impact Fees and the Mobility Fee - 23-00616

Transportation Planning Manager Chris Dawson and Consultant Jonathan Paul presented the above item. 

By consensus, the Board was agreeable to the threshold being moved to 4,500 feet. 

Commissioner Cornell and Growth Manager Director Jeff Hays presented comments. 

Commissioner Cornell moved to authorize Staff to Advertise Public Hearings to consider ordinances updating the Park System and Fire Protection Impact Fees and updating the Transportation Impact Fee to a Mobility Fee and expand the threshold from 2,600 feet to 4,500 feet . The motion carried 4-0 with Commissioner Chestnut out of the room. 

2nd Commissioner Alford

Chair Prizzia presented comments. 

3.

Ranking of Request for Proposal (RFP) 23-434 Parking Structure for the New Alachua County Court Complex for Facilities Management. - 23-00621

Procurement Manager T.J. White presented the above item. 

Commissioner Cornell moved the following:

Approve the ranking and authorize staff to negotiate an agreement for RFP 23-434-DK Parking Structure for the New Alachua County Court Complex:

1. Finfrock Construction, LLC

2. Collage Design and Construction Group, Inc.

3. Parrish McCall Constructors, Inc.

4. Charles Perry Partners, Inc.

5. Ajax Building Company, LLC

6. Kokolakis Contracting, Inc.

Approve the above ranking and authorize staff to negotiate agreement with top ranked firm, Finfrock Construction, LLC. Should staff be unable to negotiate a satisfactory agreement with the top ranked firm, negotiations with the second ranked firm may be undertaken in the same manner in order of ranking until an agreement is reached, and so forth.

The motion carried 4-0 with Commissioner Chestnut out of the room. 

4.

Approval of Work Scope for Fresh Food Pathways Program Management Services - 23-00612

This item was removed from consideration with the adoption of the agenda. 

• Approve work scope, authorize staff to advertise the RFP, and bring recommendations back to the Board for approval.

5.

Approval of Work Scope for Fresh Food Pathways Program Management Services, 23-00612

This item was removed from consideration with the adoption of the agenda. 

• Approve work scope, authorize staff to advertise the RFP, and bring recommendations back to the Board for approval.

M.

Reports and Comments

1.

County Attorney Report

2.

County Manager Report

Trunk Radio Memo

County Manager Lieberman stated the Board had directed Chief Theus to draft a memo to the newly appointed GRU Governance Board. He has drafted the memo but staff is requesting a Chair Letter to accompany the memo and request a presentation in front of their Board regarding the Trunk Radio System sale. 

Commissioner Cornell moved to authorize a Chair Letter. The motion carried 5-0. 

2nd Commissioner Alford

3.

Board Reports and Commission Comment

Interns for Commissioners

Commissioner Cornell inquired regarding the intent of hiring interns for Commission projects. Commissioner Cornell stated he thought the intent of the Board was to have the interns as a shared resource. He has heard differently that each Commissioner would have an assigned intern. 

Chair Prizzia and Commissioner Alford stated that their intent was to have an intern assigned to them specifically sense they have sufficient work to occupy the intern full time. 

County Manager Lieberman, Assistant County Manager Crosby, and Commissioner Wheeler presented comments.

Assistant County Manager Crosby stated that staff's intent is to monitor the budget for the program and see what kind of usage the interns get from the Commision. Staff would approach the Board, when necessary, with options and funding proposals. 

Commissioner Chestnut entered at 2:07 p.m.

Boy Scout Cabin

Commissioner Alford discussed the need to repair the Scout Cabin located on the Cuscowilla Property.

County Manager Lieberman advised that staff made sure that the building could not be accessed by the public due to safety concerns. She will ensure that staff tarps the roof to prevent further damage. There is no plan to demolish the building and if the Board would like she will provide a more detailed report on the structure. 

Commissioner Wheeler stated that the Friends of Cuscowilla have stated they do not have any plans for the building. She encouraged Board members to insect the building tomorrow at the employee appreciation luncheon. 

By consensus, the Board agreed to view the facility while staff takes appropriate measures to prevent further damage to the structure. The Board will discuss the matter after visiting. 

5% tax removal for emergencies

Commissioner Wheeler thought it was a good proposal to be able to remove the 5% tax during emergencies such as a hurricane as a way to assist centers who have had to evacuate. 

By consensus, the Board requested that staff research to see if this is possible. 

Update on Cuscowilla

Chair Prizzia advised the Board that she has had discussion with Assistant County Manager Peebles regarding a yearly report to Board regarding the status of the camp and goals for the facility in the future. 

N.

NOTE: This meeting will NOT reconvene at 5:01 PM

O.

Public Comments

Chair Prizzia recognized Kali Blount presented comments.

Ted Weissman comments to the Board regarding a piece of property he purchased on from the tax deed auction. He stated that the City and the County are now trying to take back the property.  The parcels border his home and County Attorney Torres who presented comments to the Board.

County Attorney Torres stated that the County does not have a role in Tax Deed sales. They are handled by the Tax Collector and the Clerk of Courts Office. She stated that she would be happy to speak with Mr. Weissman and get any information to pass on to the appropriate parties.  

P.

Commission Response to the Public

Q.

Adjournment

There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 2:39 p.m.

• To adjourn the meeting. 

R.

Consent Items

1.

Budget & Fiscal Services

1.

Fiscal Year 23 (FY23) Public Purpose Quarterly Report 4th Quarter - 23-00633

• Receive the Report for FY23 Public Purpose 4th Quarter

2.

Fiscal Year Alachua County Board of County Commissioners’ Financial Report 4th Quarter - 23-00634

• Accept the FY23 Alachua Board of County Commission Quarterly Financial Report 4th Quarter

2.

Clerk of the Court

1.

Approve Board of County Commission Minutes - 23-00593

• Approve Minutes

3.

Community Support Services

1.

State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Agreement between Alachua County and Rebuilding Together North Central Florida Inc - 23-00562

• Approve the Agreement with Rebuilding Together North Central Florida, Inc. for SHIP Owner Occupied Rehabilitation Program Provider, and authorize the Chair to sign the Agreement.

2.

First Amendment to the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Agreement between Alachua County and Neighborhood Housing and Development Corporation - 23-00561

• ..Recommended Action

  Sign the First Amendment to the Agreement with Neighborhood Housing and Development Corporation in order to provide Owner Occupied Rehabilitation for very low and low-income households, and authorize the Chair to sign.

4.

County Attorney's Office

1.

County Attorney request for authority to initiate or defend. - 23-00623

• Approve the County Attorney’s authority to initiate or defend the attached list of cases.

5.

County Manager's Office

1.

Request Approval of 2024 Commission Calendar - 23-00550

• Approve 2024 Commission Calendar as presented

2.

Request to Approve Recommended Art Tag Grant Funding Awards - 23-00585

• Approve Recommended Art Tag Funding Awards as recommended by the Alachua County Arts Council and authorize the issuance of purchase orders.

3.

Request Approval of Art Tag Grant Resolution - 23-00587

• Approve Resolution revising and re-establishing the Art Tag Grant program and authorize the Chair to sign.

6.

Fire Rescue

1.

Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CoPCN) renewal for the High Springs Fire Department. - 23-00582

• Approve the CoPCN renewal application and sign the certificate.

7.

Human Resources

1.

IAFF General Unit Collective Bargaining Agreement Revision - 23-00589

• Request approval for the IAFF General Unit Collective Bargaining Agreement Revision

2.

IAFF Management Unit Collective Bargaining Agreement Revision, FY23-24 IAFF Management Pay Plan Revision and Employee Increases - 23-00588

• Request approval for the IAFF Management Unit Collective Bargaining Agreement Revision, FY23-24 IAFF Management Pay Plan Revision and Employee Increases.

3.

Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-2024 Revisions to the Non-Bargaining Pay Plan, add Multimedia Coordinator and Tourist Development Manager classifications - 23-00624

• Request approval of the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 revisions to the Non-Bargaining Pay plan.

4.

IAFF General Unit Regarding Promotional Eligibility-Waiver of Bargaining - 23-00644

• Request approval for the IAFF General Unit Regarding Promotional Eligibility-Waiver of Bargaining agreement.

5.

FY2023-2024 Draft Pay Plan new minimum pay rates and add Fire Prevention Officer II for IAFF General and Employee Increases, 23-00620

• Approve the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) General Pay Plan and authorize raises as noted in the Background section below effective the first full pay period in October 2023.

8.

Parks & Open Space

1.

Unanticipated Revenues – Cuscowilla Nature Center - 23-00605

• Adopt the attached resolution and approve the attached budget amendment for unanticipated revenues from the Friends of Cuscowilla

9.

Procurement

1.

Award and Blanket Purchase Orders for Invitation to Bid (ITB) 24-10 Rebid Annual Petroleum Product Purchases with A.O.C., LLC d/b/a Almond Oil Company and Lewis Oil Co., Inc. for Public Works, Fleet. - 23-00625

• Approve the Award and issuance of Blanket Purchase Orders for ITB 24-10 Rebid Annual Petroleum Product Purchases Part A to A.O.C., LLC d/b/a Almond Oil Company in the amount of $1,400,000 and Part B to Lewis Oil Co., in the amount of $720,000.

10.

Risk Management

1.

Amendment to Mission Square Agreement in management of the employee 457 Plan - 23-00598

• Approve amendment

11.

Visit Gainesville, Alachua County, FL

1.

Request Approval of the Contract for Administration and Bid Pool with the Gainesville Sports Commission - 23-00613

• Approve the Agreement with the Gainesville Sports Organizing Committee, Inc. doing business as Gainesville Sports Commission, and authorize the Chair to sign.

S.

Notation for Record

1.

Community Development District FY 2023-2024 Annual Meeting Schedule for Celebration Pointe No. 1, Finley Woods and Parker Road - 23-00584

• No action necessary.

2.

Arts Council Minutes – August 7, 2023 - 23-00586

• N/A. For informational purposes only.

3.

Citizen Climate Advisory Committee (CCAC) Minutes March-August 2023 - 23-00606

• Accept the Committee meeting minutes for March 20, April 17, May 15, July 17, and August 21

T.

Notice of Upcoming Meetings

1.

Notice of Upcoming Meetings, 23-00520

• N/A