November 27, 2007

Regular Session

Bonifay, Florida

The Holmes County Board of Commissioner met in a Regular 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.

Mr. Dinkins led the prayer.

Chairman Thomas opened the meeting and explained that the pledge had already been done at the Workshop preceding this meeting.

Pursuant to Public Notice, the Board held a public hearing to consider the following:

Resolution 07-11 regarding special assessment for fire services

CPA 2008-01B and draft ordinance 2007-13

CPA 2008-01C and draft ordinance 2007-14

CPA 2008-02 and draft ordinance 2007-11

Ordinance #2007-15

The Board discussed Resolution 07-11 which established the uniform method of collecting non-ad valorem assessments for fire protection services. Chairman Thomas advised that the adoption of this resolution did not lock the Board in to assess a fee, but that this was necessary in the event that they did choose to do this. The following citizens spoke regarding the fire assessment:

Mr. Rodney Bowers Mr. Gary Deal

Commissioner Williams made a motion to adopt Resolution 07-11. Commissioner Merchant seconded the motion. The motion passed with Commissioner King voting no; and all others voting yes.

Michele McDaniel, Planner, requested to change the order of the ordinances on the agenda. She stated that she would like to present the draft ordinances following the order of the Comprehensive Plan. The Board agreed.

She briefly discussed CPA 2008-01B and presented draft ordinance 2007-13 regarding the Mezzaluna Springs Development near Highway 181. She stated that this ordinance would change the land use map zoning from Agricultural use to Planned Unit Development (PUD). She explained that a PUD is an exact plan of which elements, like number of units, will be included in the development and no changes can be made later to those elements. She stated that this PUD would allow for three hundred and twenty housing units and that a private self contained water filtration and sewage system will be constructed and managed by Aqua America who would eventually buy the water operation. She stated that the initial plans include a recreational lake, gardens and wetland preservation which have been approved by the agents and engineers.

Mr. Bob Thorne, consultant of Green Horn and O’Mara, stated that his firm is currently studying the traffic impacts for the project. Ms. McDaniel stated that when the studies are complete, the determination can be made regarding the extent of improvements that need to be made to the roads surrounding the development. She stated that the developer would be responsible for any necessary improvements to the roadway. Commissioner Merchant made a motion to approve the transmittal of CPA 2008-01B to amend the land use map for the Mezzaluna Springs development. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

(CPA 2008-01B, Draft Ordinance 2007-13)

Ms. McDaniel presented draft ordinance 2007-14 for CPA 2008-01C which amends the Comprehensive Plan crossroads frontage footage requirement. She stated that the amendment would reduce the required amount of road frontage from two hundred feet to seventy five feet for the Mezzaluna Springs Development. Commissioner Merchant made a motion to approve the transmittal of CPA 2008-01C and draft ordinance 2007-14. Commissioner Williams seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

(CPA 2008-01C, Draft Ordinance 2007-14)

Mr. Alan Gray, of the West Florida Regional Planning Council (WFRPC) presented CPA 2008-02, which includes draft ordinance 2007-11, and is the school element to the comprehensive plan. He stated that the amendment was a collaborative effort between WFRPC, the school board, and the County Planner and County Administrator. He informed the Board that this submission to The Department of Community Affairs (DCA) is not counted toward the two amendment limit per year and stated that the goal of the project is to provide quality schools for area residents by collaborative efforts between the School Board and County. He stated that it is State law as a result of Senate bill 360, that every single County in Florida must have a public schools element to their Comprehensive Plan. He also explained that if the County does not comply with these guidelines, the County would become ineligible for state funding and grant money. He stated that the deadline for this element to be included in the plan is August 1, 2008.

(Draft Ordinance 2007-11)

Commissioner Music made a motion to approve the transmittal of CPA 2008-02 and draft ordinance 2007-11. Commissioner Merchant seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

(CPA 2008-02, Draft Ordinance 2007-11)

Ms. McDaniel presented ordinance 2007-15 amending the land development regulations Chapter II, “Land Use Districts” Section 2.02.02.K to add street frontage footage requirements. Commissioner Williams made a motion to adopt the ordinance. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

(Ordinance 2007-15)

The Chairman closed the Public Hearing.

Commissioner King made a motion to approve the following consent items:

November 13, 2007 Regular Session Minutes

07-08 Budget Amendment #1

Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Greg Wood, County Administrator, stated that Small County Road Assistance Program (SCRAP) and Small County Outreach Program (SCOP) funds have become available for County road projects 177A and 181A. He stated that Metric Engineering has been chosen for the 177A project and Hatch Mott MacDonald as the engineer of record for CR181A. Commissioner King made a motion to allow the Administrator to give each engineering firm the notice to proceed on the projects. Commissioner Merchant seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Wood stated that the County needed to secure more grant funds in order to ensure that funds would be available to create safer roads.

Mr. Wood stated that the blood drive will be taking place December 13, 2007 at the Methodist Church parking lot in Bonifay. He asked if County employees could be allowed to attend during their working day. Commissioner King made a motion to allow County employees to attend the blood drive without losing any compensation. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Wood stated that the Tri-County Community Council has offered the County a used Ford Taurus Wagon. He stated that the City of Bonifay is in need of a vehicle. He stated that would like to accept the vehicle from the Council for the County Recycling Center and then donate the vehicle that the Recycling Center currently has to the City. Commissioner Music made a motion to accept the Ford Taurus from Tri-County Community Council. Commissioner Williams seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Music made a motion to offer the City the car that the Recycling Center currently has. Commissioner King seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Wood asked the Board to allow the Chairman to sign a quit claim deed for a 300’ by 300’ parcel of property located in Ponce de Leon. The parcel was deeded to the County by the State in 1958, and is located on the back side of the property that the new Department of Transportation (DOT) facility will be occupying. He stated that by quit claiming the property back to the State, the DOT facility could utilize it for the ingress and egress. Commissioner King made a motion to allow the Chairman to sign the quit claim deed. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

(Quit Claim Deed)

Mr. Wood stated that he had finished a first draft of the County Rain Day Policy. Commissioner King made a motion to allow him to meet with road and shop foremen to explain that there will be a new policy. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Williams stated that he would like to meet with Mr. Wood to revise section three regarding the shop. The Board agreed.

(Rain Day Policy Draft)

Mr. Wood updated the Board regarding the house number policy and violation enforcement. Previously, the Board discussed the necessity for citizens to have addresses clearly posted at each residence. He stated that he would like to write an actual ordinance with provisions for violation that can be enforceable by law. He suggested authorizing certain department heads to issue citations for noncompliance for this issue and for litter control. Chairman Thomas stated that the ordinance is needed so that emergency responders could more easily find residences in times of need and that the litter control ordinances are needed for the general health of the public.

Mr. Wood updated the Board regarding the street sign theft policy. He stated that he would like to revise the policy to include not only theft of a sign but also to include penalties for possession of signs.

Mr. Brandon Young, County Attorney, stated that City of Bonifay is gauging the County’s interest in taking over the Recreation Center. Previously, the management association that had been in charge of paying the bills for the Recreation Center had not done so, and that the City would like to give the Recreation Center back to the County. The Board discussed options for the Center. Chairman Thomas stated that he would like to see that facility stay open. Mr. Bob Jones, grants administrator, stated that grants had been accepted by the City primarily to make lighting improvements to the facility. He suggested a joint funding effort be considered in order to maintain the recreation center. Mr. Alan Gray stated that the School Board should be considered as a possible partner in this venture. No action was taken on this item.

Mr. Benny Little, citizen, expressed concern regarding the enforcement of ordinances, specifically garbage ordinances. Chairman Thomas stated that this item will be on the December 18, 2007 meeting agenda.

Commissioner Merchant updated the Board regarding County Projects. He stated that D.D. Eldridge Park construction is progressing with playground equipment installation, and that the fencing project is to begin shortly. He stated that the Westville Ambulance station pole barn construction has begun and that the trusses will be set in the upcoming week.

Commissioner Music stated that the Council on Aging is in need of a new wheelchair ramp. He asked if we could use inmate labor to repair the ramp. Mr. Wood stated that someone would be sent to assess the repairs that would be needed. No action was taken on this item.

Chairman Thomas asked the Board to consider what action to take on the Rum Road project bids. Commissioner King made a motion to award the base bid phase one to Bullard Construction in the amount of $450,505.84. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

(Bid Sheet)

Chairman Thomas asked the Board to consider whether to allow the County Attorney to enter negotiations with the trucking company that collapsed the bridges on Beall Packing Road. Commissioner Music made a motion to allow Mr. Young to enter the negotiation process with Wade Gilbert, LLC. Commissioner Williams seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Music made a motion to begin repair or replacement on the bridge. Commissioner Merchant seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

The following citizens spoke regarding the Rum Road project:

Ms. Betty Yancey Ms. Faye Bowman

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

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Clerk Chairman