Microsoft Word - 030111REG.docREGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD, MARCH 1, 2011
1. The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. in the Board of County Commission Chambers at 600 S. Commerce Ave., Sebring, Florida, with the following members present:
Commissioner Barbara Stewart Commissioner R. Greg Harris Commissioner Jack L. Richie Commissioner Don Elwell Also present: Ricky Helms, J. Ross Macbeth, Robert W. Germaine, and Pamela Nava.
2. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
The meeting opened with a prayer by Commissioner Stewart. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Commissioner Harris.
3. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mar. 1 3:00 pm Highlands Soil & Water Conservation District Room #3, Bert J. Harris, Jr. Agricultural Center, 4509 George Blvd., Sebring, Fl.
Mar. 1 7:00 pm Construction Licensing, Enforcement & Appeals Board
Board room, 600 S. Commerce Ave., Sebring, Fl.
Mar. 3 3:30 pm Veterans Advisory Board 7209 S. George Blvd., Sebring, Fl.
A. Other meetings:
The Sebring Centennial will meet on Thursday, March 3, 2011 at 4:00 p.m. at the Sebring Civic Center.
The American Party of Florida will meet on Thursday, March 3, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. at
Beef O’Brady’s in Sebring to discuss the Highlands County Housing Program. Chairman Stewart read the Pledge of Civility from a Proclamation that was approved by the Board in 2000.
4. CLERK: No report. 5. CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS:
A. Sheriff: Request for approval of Change Order increasing the space for dispatch in Project 09041 Jail Renovations.
Sheriff Susan Benton and Warren Hall, with Electronic Maintenance & Communications, Inc., presented the request and presented proposals 1 and 2 for the equipment relocation project. Ramon Gavarrete, County Engineer, addressed the Board on the proposal. Bernis Gainer, Director of Office of Management and Budget, addressed fund 09078 for county buildings. The Commission discussed the proposals and addressed their concerns. Public input was received from Dick Noel, Dale Wilson, and Joe Eck. Commissioner Harris made a motion to approve the concept and bring back the expenditures next week. The motion died for lack of a second.
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Commissioner Elwell made a motion and Commissioner Harris seconded the motion, to move to approve the Sheriff’s Office HVAC and Electrical Renovations Project #09041 – Proposed Dispatch/911 Area change order, including proposal #2 for the equipment relocation project as presented, subject to a budget amendment; including potential revenue sources from the Radio Communication fund, the 09078 – buildings fund, Law Enforcement Impact Fees fund, Corrections Impact Fees fund, the 911 fund, Project 09041 remaining- monies, and the Sheriff’s budget reductions. Upon roll call, all Commissioners voted aye. The motion carried. See SMB 86 Page 1.
B. Property Appraiser: No report. C. Tax Collector: No report. D. Supervisor of Elections: No report.
6. RECOGNITIONS, PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS:
A. Administrative Services Director:
1. Presentation of Years of Service Awards.
Jed Secory, Administrative Services Director, presented awards to Sandra Butler and Harold Roebuck for their 20+ years of service to Highlands County. See SMB 86 Page 2.
2. Request approval of a Proclamation recognizing March 2011 as
“Purchasing Month”.
Gerald Secory, Administrative Services Director, presented the request and read the Proclamation into the record. Commissioner Richie made a motion and Commissioner Harris seconded the motion, to move to approve the Proclamation to proclaim and recognize the month of March 2011 as Highlands County Board of County Commissioners Purchasing Month. Upon roll call, all Commissioners voted aye. The motion carried. See Res. Book 23 Page 305. Chairman Stewart addressed a letter that she wrote to the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture to express their general support for Vercipia Biofuels’ proposed cellulosic biofuels project and requested the Commission’s approval to send the letter and sign it as the Chairman of the Board. See SMB 86 Page 3.
7. CONSENT AGENDA:
Commissioner Richie stated that he received a letter from Lois Krebs requesting two corrections on item 7B - minutes from the February 15, 2011 and provided the letter to the Clerk to become part of the permanent record. See SMB 86 Page 3A. Commissioner Harris requested a brief explanation on item 7C. Mike Swaine, representing the Health Facilities Authority, addressed his request and briefly commented on the audit.
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Commissioner Stewart questioned item 7L. Mary Myers, Library Director, addressed her questions. Commissioner Stewart requested that 7L be pulled from the consent agenda to be voted on separately. Public input was received from John Nelson. Commissioner Elwell made a motion and Commissioner Richie seconded the motion, to move to approve the consent agenda as amended, with the exception of item 7L. Upon roll call, all Commissioners voted aye. The motion carried.
A. Request approval to pay all duly authorized bills and employee benefits March 1, 2011. See Check Report 2011 file.
GENERAL FUND 2,940,748.80 COUNTY TRANSPORT TRUST 4,825.11 E911 OPERATIONS FUND 68,037.91 INTERGOVT RADIO COMMUNICA 1,109.60 LOCAL GOVT INFRA SURTAX 68,226.55 TOURIST DEV TRUST FUND 383.58 AFFORDABLE HOUSING ASST 15,000.00 SPECIAL LAW ENFORCEMENT 9,500.00 SEBRING PARKWAY MAINT 516.57 STATE COURT FACILITIES TF 985.42 LEGAL AID TRUST FUND 3,638.29 BUILDING FUND 3.85 SOLID WASTE 197,679.93 PLACID UTILITIES 5,135.19 HIGHWAY PARK UTILITY 1,471.28 ENERGY RECOVERY 36,519.99 EMPLOYEE BENEFIT FUND 4.65
B. Request approval of the minutes for the Board of County Commissioners and
Special Benefits District for February 15, 2011. See Clerk of Courts website.
C. Request to accept into the record the Health Facilities Authority’s Financial Statements for FY ending 09/30/2010. See Health Facilities Authority file.
D. Request approval to appoint Flint Johns as a regular representative of the
Range Agriculture category on the Istokpoga Management Committee. See SMB 86 Page 4.
E. Request approval of a Release of Notice of Nuisance on Case Number
CE9798-078, 159 E. A. Smith Avenue, Lake Placid, FL 33852. See Subdivision file.
F. Request approval of a Partial Release of Lien on Case Number CE 10070173,
916 Krouse Street, Sebring, FL 33875. See Subdivision file.
G. Request approval of a Satisfaction of Lien on Case Number CE 05090116, 4008 Briaridge Circle East, Sebring, FL 33870. See Subdivision file.
H. Request approval of a Satisfaction of Lien on Case Number CE 08030036,
3210 Grayce Street, Sebring, FL 33875. See Subdivision file.
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I. Request approval of a Satisfaction of Lien on Case Number CE 08090237, 6494 Placid Lakes Boulevard, Lake Placid, FL 33852. See Subdivision file.
J. Request approval of a Satisfaction of Lien on Case Number CE 09060075,
1523 Walnut Avenue, Lake Placid, FL 33852. See Subdivision file.
K. Request approval of a Satisfaction of Lien on Case Number CE 10100122, 2330 West Bandra Road, Avon Park, FL 33825. See Subdivision file.
L. Request approval of Resolution & Budget Amendment 10-11-074 reflecting
donations made to the Libraries and adjusting Project 07040 Accounts with a fiscal impact of $1,040.25. (This item was pulled to be approved separately from the consent agenda.)
7L. Request approval of Resolution & Budget Amendment 10-11-074 reflecting
donations made to the Libraries and adjusting Project 07040 Accounts with a fiscal impact of $1,040.25.
Commissioner Elwell addressed several questions to Ms. Myers pertaining to the coffee and cappuccino machines. Ms. Myers addressed his questions. The Commission addressed their comments and concerns. Commissioner Elwell made a motion and Commissioner Harris seconded the motion, to move to approve Budget Amendment 10-11-074 and its associated Resolution. Upon roll call, all Commissioners voted aye, except Commissioner Stewart, who voted nay. The motion carried. See Budget Amendment 2011 file, Res. Book 23 Page 306 & SMB 86 Page 5. 8. ACTION:
Ricky Helms, County Administrator, requested an additional item be added under County Administrator as Direction on an Information Request. Commissioner Elwell made a motion and Commissioner Harris seconded the motion, to move to set the action agenda as amended, adding item 8D-5 – Direction on information requests. Upon roll call, all Commissioners voted aye. The motion carried. Break: 10:30 a.m. to 10:41 a.m.
A. Board Attorney and Mr. Tommy Todd, Glades Electrical Cooperative:
Discussion concerning structuring of Ordinances.
Tommy Todd, General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of Glades Electrical Cooperative, addressed the process used to create Ordinances for the Board’s consideration and the consequences of that process. Mr. Todd based his remarks on the Ordinance adopted by the Board to avoid abandoned towers throughout the county and stated that Glades Electric has been attempting to get a permit to locate a tower on a property owned south of Lake Placid and have received a letter from their consulting engineer informing them that they would have to put up an irrevocable letter of credit in excess of $28,000 so the funds would be there to dismantle the tower in case that Glades Electric moved or went out of business. Mr. Todd stated that he has been in contact with June Fisher, Community Services
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Division Director, and has received information on the issue. Mr. Todd requested that the Commission take a look at the way Ordinances are written in Highlands County. Ross Macbeth, Board Attorney, addressed the issue. Public input was received from Preston Colby. The Commission addressed their comments and concerns and gave direction to Ricky Helms, County Administrator, and Mr. Macbeth to review the Ordinance.
B. County Extension Director: Presentation on Extension Services and budget discussion.
Mike Jenson, County Extension Director, gave a brief presentation on the services provided by the Extension Office. The Commission addressed their concerns about the Extension’s budget. Commissioner Stewart stated that she would like to take a look at the effect of eliminating the 100% County-funded Urban Horticulturalist and see if the Commercial Horticulturalist can take over those responsibilities. Commissioner Richie stated that he would like staff to analyze the possibility of joining together the Extension Services with the Soil & Water Conservation District. Public input was received from Bob Hummel, Ray Royce, Mike Waldron, Gary Ritter, and John Drennan. Commissioner Stewart commented on the Livestock Agent position and addressed the possibility of being able to acquire private grants to help defray some of the costs in the department. The Commission thanked Mr. Jenson for the presentation. See SMB 86 Page 6. Break: 12:07 p.m. to 12:34 p.m.
C. Board Attorney: No report. D. County Administrator:
1. Discussion on in house versus out house board attorney.
Commissioner Stewart stated that this item was a professional discussion of the pros and cons of an in-house attorney versus a private outside attorney. The Commission addressed questions to Ross Macbeth, Board Attorney. Mr. Macbeth addressed their concerns. After discussion, the Commission addressed their comments towards the experience and knowledge provided by Mr. Macbeth. Public input was received from Preston Colby, John Joiner, John Drennan, Dick Noel, Tommy Todd, and Joe Eck. Commissioner Harris made a motion and Commissioner Elwell seconded the motion, to move to continue the services of Ross Macbeth, Board Attorney, and the outside attorney roll. Upon roll call, all Commissioners voted aye. The motion carried. See SMB 86 Page 7.
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2. Request approval of Resolution & Budget Amendment 10-11-068 for Workers’ Compensation insurance adjustments increasing the Solid Waste Fund Reserve for Contingency with a fiscal impact of $15,385.00.
Ricky Helms, County Administrator, and Bernis Gainer, Director of Office of Management and Budget, presented the request. Commissioner Elwell made a motion and Commissioner Richie seconded the motion, to move to approve Budget Amendment 10-11-068 and its associated Resolution. Upon roll call, all Commissioners voted aye. The motion carried. See Budget Amendment 2011 file, Res. Book 23 Page 307 & SMB 86 Page 8.
3. Request approval of Resolution & Budget Amendment 10-11-069 for a
Health insurance adjustment decreasing the Reserve for Contingency for General, Transportation Trust and Solid Waste Funds with a fiscal impact of $141,665.00.
Bernis Gainer, Director of Office of Management and Budget, presented the request. Public input was received from John Drennan. Commissioner Richie made a motion and Commissioner Harris seconded the motion, to move to approve Budget Amendment 10-11-069 and its associated Resolution. Upon roll call, all Commissioners voted aye. The motion carried. See Budget Amendment 2011 file, Res. Book 23 Page 308 & SMB 85 Page 9.
4. Request approval of Resolution & Budget Amendment 10-11-075 to roll funds forward for projects 04080, 08034, 06013, 06051, 08031, and 09018 with a fiscal impact of $18,204.48.
Ricky Helms, County Administrator, and Bernis Gainer, Director of Office of Management and Budget, presented the request. Commissioner Harris made a motion and Commissioner Elwell seconded the motion, to move to approve Budget Amendment 10-11-075 and Resolution. Upon roll call, all Commissioners voted aye. The motion carried. See Budget Amendment 2011 file, Res. Book 23 Page 309 & SMB 85 Page 10.
5. Direction on Information Request.
Ricky Helms, County Administrator, pulled the item and will bring it back at a later time.
9. CITIZENS NOT ON THE AGENDA
John Joiner commented on his idea to bring new revenue sources to the County by opening up the Harder Hall Hotel and Casino and stated that he would also take his idea to the City of Sebring.
Bill Youngman stated that they will have a presentation on the Affordable Housing
Advisory Committee at the next American Party of Florida meeting.
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Dale Gillis, President of the Highlands County Audubon Society, commented on
developments included in the Comprehensive Plan. Ross Macbeth, Board Attorney, directed that the Commission not get into a dialogue with Mr. Gillis because of the pending litigation. Mr. Gillis presented several questions that Mr. Macbeth wrote down.
Joe Eck commented on the 5th Commission seat and stated that Sun’n Lake has now
joined E-Verify and commented on the Sun’n Lake audit.
Preston Colby commented on the NCT auditor billing rates and questioned who negotiated the NCT contract amendment. Mr. Helms and Mr. Macbeth wrote down his questions and stated that they would have to look at the information before they can address or answer his questions. Bob Germaine, Clerk of Courts, stated that he has directed his Audit Department to review the NCT invoices and at the time has not directed to have an audit.
10. COMMISSIONERS:
Commissioner Harris: Commissioner Harris questioned the meeting on the Tax Abatement. Commissioner Stewart stated that it will be placed on the agenda on March 15, 2011.
Commissioner Richie: Commissioner Richie stated that he will have a meeting with the
Soil and Water Conservation District today at 3:00 p.m.
Commissioner Elwell: Commissioner Elwell commented on his meeting with Heather Woods, Clerk’s Audit Director, regarding the audit of the Board Attorney bills. Commissioner Elwell also questioned the March 22nd and March 29th Board meetings. Commissioner Stewart stated that the March 22nd meeting will be held at 9:00 a.m. and the March 29th meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m. Ricky Helms, County Administrator, stated that the meetings have been publicly advertised.
Commissioner Stewart: Commissioner Stewart commented on the Florida’s Heartland
Rural and Economic Development Initiative meeting that she attended this week. 11. ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 2:30 p.m.
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