October 23 2007

Special Session

Bonifay, Florida

The Holmes County Board of Commissioner met in a Special Session on the above date with the following members present: Commissioner Kenneth Williams, Commissioner Monty Merchant, Commissioner Jim King, Commissioner Phillip Music, Commissioner Raymon Thomas, Chairman of the Board.

Mr. Greg Wood, County Administrator, was present.

Mr. Brandon Young, County Attorney, was present.

Angie Jonas, Deputy Clerk, was present and kept the minutes.

Chairman Thomas opened the meeting with the prayer and the pledge.

Pursuant to public notice, the Board held a Public Hearing to consider the adoption of Ordinance 2007-10. The Ordinance would amend the land use for the approximately 453.37 acre parcel known as the Sun Lake Project located on State Road 79. Previously, the land had been categorized as urban mixed use and rural residential. With this Ordinance, the use of this land would be changed to low and medium density residential and industrial uses.

Ms. Michele McDaniel, Planner, recommended that the Board adopt an ordinance of Holmes County, Florida, amending Volume II on the Holmes County Comprehensive Plan, as amended: amending Chapter 2, "Future Land Use Element" text map amendment and transmit CPA 2007-02 component B to the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) as the second of the two Comprehensive Plan Amendment packages allowed by Florida Statutes for the year 2007.

(Recommendation, Background)

Ms. McDaniel stated that the City of Bonifay signed a letter accepting the Sun Lake project. She also stated that per the letter, the developer would provide a water system for the project in the event that the City becomes unable to do so and that the sewer capacities would be provided by the City.

(City of Bonifay Letter)

Commissioner Merchant asked whether the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) issue was resolved regarding this development. Michele stated that the two roads in question had been upgraded to the next road classification.

Mr. Luis Serna of GPI Southeast was available to answer Board and audience questions. Mr. Hubert Hendrix, citizen, stated that previously there had been some dispute regarding Pipkin Road, he asked for a status on the situation. Mr. Serna stated that the developers would be responsible for making the road improvements to Pipkin Road and Sun Lake Road at the time that the development occurs. Commissioner Merchant asked whether the body of water known as Sun Lake was included in the development. Luis stated that the deed included lake bottom in order to make the land contiguous, however, the entire lake was not included.

Ms. McDaniel read into record the objection letter from Mr. And Mrs. Ken Watkins of South Ride Lane. Chairman Thomas stated that "Anytime you have an industrial site, you're going to have neighbors and it's a problem we're going to have to deal with. As we grow and we are going to grow, we may as well face it. We will receive their objection and enter it into the record. But I will say at this time that we're going to be faced with these situations every time we have an industrial site and looking at this map the residential areas that we’re talking about are contiguous to a major artery that's going to be developed regardless of where their house is. Those front parcels along that highway are going to increase in value to the point that residential homes are going to be replaced by businesses there. It may not be in the next five years, but it will happen, so I think we need to just need to move ahead with the project on that account." Ms. Joann Foxworth, citizen, stated that she agreed with the Board. She stated that there is a need for jobs in the area and that progress is needed. Commissioner Music made a motion to adopt and transmit ordinance 2007-10 to the DCA. Commissioner Williams seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

(Objection Letter, Ordinance # 2007-10)

Ms. McDaniel updated the Board regarding the Evaluation Appraisal Report (EAR) progress. She stated that there are five public meetings scheduled for November. She asked the Board to allow her to advertise the meetings as "sponsored by the Holmes County Chamber of Commerce". The Board agreed.

Commissioner King asked the Board to allow District Two to utilize the 4-H van as the 4-H program is not using the van. The Board agreed.

Mr. Greg Wood, County Administrator, updated the Board on the status of the prison. He stated that once the property was secured, the project would move forward.

Commissioner King stated that citizens are disposing of unwanted items such as electronic devices in the streams and at the roadsides and asked the Board to consider building a storage shed for those articles between normal County amnesty days. Commissioner Music made a motion to allow Mr. King to research the cost of a storage building for unwanted trash items and also for a cement slab for the recycling center. Commissioner Merchant seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Williams asked the Board whether or not the fencing project for District Four's yard needed to be conducted via bid. He stated that there is a need for fencing around the yard and dirt pit areas. Commissioner Williams made a motion to allow advertisement for bids for the fencing project at District Four's Yard. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Wood stated that the Health Department would be sponsoring the "Baby Bash" yard sale on November 3, 2007.

Commissioner Music made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

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Clerk Chairman