Alachua County Special Meeting

Minutes

-
Archer City Hall Chambers
16870 SW 134th Avenue, Archer, FL 32618
Present:
  • Commissioner Mary Alford, 
  • Chair Charles S. Chestnut, IV, 
  • Vice Chair Ken Cornell, 
  • Commissioner Anna Prizzia, 
  • and Commissioner Marihelen Wheeler 

A.
Call To Order

 

Chair Chestnut called the meeting to order at 6:00pm

Mayor Hope called the meeting to order at 6:00pm

B.
Welcome

 

Mayor Hope welcomed everyone to the joint meeting. 

C.
Introduction

 

Melissa Pisco of Archer United Methodist Church provided invocation. 

Commissioner Wheeler entered the meeting at 6:09pm

D.
Adoption of the Agenda

 

City Commissioner White moved approval of the agenda. 

2nd Vice Mayor Bailey 

The motion carried 5-0.

 

Commissioner Cornell moved approval of the agenda.

2nd Commissioner Alford

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

  • To approve the Agenda. 

E.
Items For Discussion

 

1.
Congratulatory recognition plaque for ChairChestnut from BMECRO (Bethlehem Methodist Episcopal Cemetery RestorationOrganization)

 

Roberta Lopez and the Bethlehem Methodist Episcopal Cemetery Restoration Organization presented the above item recognizing Chair Chestnut for all of his work, and everything he has done for the Archer community. They presented Chair Chestnut with a certificate of appreciation for his many years of service and dedication to helping Bethlehem Methodist Episcopal Cemetery Restoration Organization.

2.
SR 24/Archer Road - Current and Future Improvements - 25-00212

 

Jeff Hayes, Growth Management Director with Alachua County presented a brief update on the above item. 

 

 

City Mayor Hope, City Council Green, a citizen, Jeff Hays, a citizen, County Manager Lieberman, a citizen, Commissioner Alford, a citizen, Commissioner Prizzia, Commissioner Cornell, Bob S, Roberta Lopez, a citizen, and City Council White presented comments. 

  • N/A: Discussion Item

3.
Holly Hills Stormwater Grant Match Assistance

 

City Mayor Hope presented brief remarks regarding the above item.

Chair Chestnut and Mayor Hope presented comments. 

4.
NEWBERRY CHARTER SCHOOL System Approval-Discussion

 

City Mayor Hope presented brief remarks regarding the above item.

 

Commissioner Wheeler, Mayor Hope, Vice Mayor Bailey, and City Commissioner Green presented comments

5.
City of Archer Financial Recovery Position Status Update

 

City Mayor Hope presented remarks regarding the above item providing an update of everything the city is doing regarding their financial recovery. 

 

  • Total Debt $1.5M effective 12/1/24
  • Effective February 1, 2025, Opened Wild spaces-WP $300k recovery bank account (per ACC reqt.over 3 yrs)
  • Current Account Recovery Balance is $76,500.  $300,000 total account. balance planned by July 2027
  • Outstanding back IRS 941 payroll taxes totaling $178k + $76k penalties & interest-eff: paid in full effective March 10, 2025
  • All IRS 941 Payroll taxes paid timely current to date
  • All current COA staff remain in place totaling 7 FTEs
  • City Administrator (permanent position) to be advertised beginning April 25th with position in place planned for August 25.
  • COA FT Account Specialist to be advertised beginning April 25th with position in place planned for July 25.  (AmerisBank Loan $625,955 at 6.25% + Kimley Horne Engineering Contractors $289,965 + Gatorsktch Arhitects $64,760)
  • Dual Authorization Review for both check payments and all ACH payments, including full commission review of all 941 Payroll tax payments. - ongoing effective February 25th & current. 
  • FY2024-25 Amended Balanced Budget completed February 25th and scheduled for COA Commission approval 3/24/25

 

Total current City of Archer Debt is $980,680 effective March 13, 2025

 

Commissioner Cornell, Commissioner Alford, City Mayor Hope, Commissioner Wheeler presented comments. 

F.
Public Comment

 

Chair Chestnut recognized Melissa Pisco, a citizen, Roberta Lopez, Brian Kauffman with Alachua County Public Works, a citizen, Lori Castello, Gene Arnold, Lizzie Jenkins, Bill Londowski, and Jahi Kalani who presented comments. 

G.
Commission General Comments and Information Discussion

 

1.
County Commission Comment

 

Commissioner Prizzia thanked Reverend Pisco, Mrs. Lopez and Ms. Lizzie Jenkins for everything they are doing for the community.  Commissioner also explained how HUD housing works for citizens in the community. She also would like to thank everyone who made the ACCRP ceremony so successful, and states it was a beautiful well put together ceremony. 

Commissioner Wheeler stated how wonderful it is to be in Archer and thanked everyone for attending and welcomed them to attend the World Masters Event in Gainesville. 

Commissioner Cornell stated to the citizens of archer that both the County and City commission are there for their needs. Commissioner also congratulated the mayor and the community for all that they are doing in Archer. 

Commissioner Alford thanked everyone for attending and welcomed the citizens to come to her at any time if they need anything. 

Chair Chestnut stated he hopes all issues were addressed tonight and he would like to thank the City of Archer and all the citizens for attending for having the County Commission tonight. Chair also wanted to give a thank you to all of the county staff, the attorney, the manager and deputy clerk for attending all of the meetings and help address those issues. 

2.
City Commission Comment

 

City Commissioner Green thanked the County for attending tonight's meeting and for everything they have done for Archer.  Also, Commissioner Green would like to say thank you to the city commission and citizens for coming out. She will love to continue to see growth in Archer.

Vice Mayor Bailey would like to say thank you everyone for attending tonight's meeting and thank you to the county commissioners for everything they are doing. Vice Mayor Bailey states Mayor Hope is doing a great job as Mayor in Archer. Vice Mayor Baily expressed her feelings regarding negative comments about the city commission made online. 

City Commissioner White thanked the County for taking time out to meet with the City of Archer. 

Mayor Hope thanked the county commission for their continued support of the Braid Trail. Also, Mayor thanked all the citizens and the commission for attending the meeting. 

H.
Adjourn

 

There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 8:14pm

  • To adjourn the meeting. 

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