A
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
NOVEMBER
21, 2006
The
Lake County Board of County Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday,
November 21, 2006, at 9:00 a.m., in the Board of County Commissioners’ Meeting Room,
Lake County Administration Building, Tavares, Florida. Commissioners present at the meeting were:
Welton G. Cadwell, Vice Chairman (acting Chairman); Debbie Stivender; Jennifer
Hill; Elaine Renick; and Linda Stewart.
Others present were: Sanford A. (Sandy) Minkoff, County Attorney; Cindy
Hall, County Manager; Wendy Taylor, Executive Office Manager, County Manager’s
Office; James C. Watkins, Clerk; Barbara Lehman, Chief Deputy Clerk, County
Finance; and Sandra Carter, Deputy Clerk.
INVOCATION
AND PLEDGE
Reverend
Ken Harley, from the Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church, gave the
Invocation and Sheriff Gary Borders led the Pledge of Allegiance.
RECOGNITION
Commr.
Cadwell, Vice Chairman, recognized various Constitutional Officers, School
Board members, elected city officials, and representatives from the Lake County
Water Authority, who were present in the audience, at which time he noted that
he was serving as Chairman, because he was the current Vice Chairman, and that
a new Chairman and Vice Chairman would be selected at the first meeting in
December.
INVESTITURE
Newly
elected Commrs. Elaine Renick and Linda Stewart were sworn into office by Mr.
James C. Watkins, Clerk of the Circuit Court, who administered the Oath of
Office.
RECESS
AND REASSEMBLY
At
9:15 a.m., the Vice Chairman announced that the Board would recess until 9:45
a.m., so that everyone present could participate in a reception that was being
held in honor of the two newly elected Commissioners, Elaine Renick and Linda
Stewart.
AGENDA
UPDATE
Ms.
Cindy Hall, County Manager, informed the Board that there was an Addendum No. 1
to the Agenda, containing one item under the County Manager’s Consent Agenda, a
request from Growth Management for approval to execute two Florida Communities
Trust Grant contracts, to aid in the potential acquisition of properties in
Districts 4 and 5. She stated that a
Public Hearing that had been scheduled for this date, pertaining to an
amendment to the Lake County Public Housing Agency Administrative Plan, had
been postponed until the Board Meeting scheduled for December 19, 2006.
MINUTE
APPROVAL
On a motion by Commr. Stivender,
seconded by Commr. Hill and carried unanimously, by a 5-0 vote, the Board
approved the Minutes of
September 5, 2006 (Regular Meeting), as presented.
On a motion by Commr. Stivender, seconded by Commr. Hill
and carried unanimously, by a 5-0 vote, the Board approved the Minutes of
October 17, 2006 (Regular Meeting), as presented.
On a motion by Commr. Stivender, seconded by Commr. Hill and
carried unanimously, by a 5-0 vote, the Board approved the Minutes of October
24, 2006 (Regular Meeting), as presented.
On a motion by Commr. Hill, seconded by Commr. Stivender
and carried unanimously, by a 5-0 vote, the Board approved the Minutes of October
26, 2006 (Special Meeting – State of the County), as presented.
CLERK
OF COURTS’ CONSENT AGENDA
On
a motion by Commr. Stivender, seconded by Commr. Hill and carried unanimously,
by a 5-0 vote, the Board approved the following requests:
List
of Warrants
Request
to acknowledge receipt of list of warrants paid prior to this meeting, pursuant to
Chapter 136.06 (1) of the Florida Statutes, which shall be incorporated into
the Minutes as attached Exhibit A and filed in the Board Support Division of
the Clerk's Office.
St.
Johns River Water Management District’s Water Resource Development Work
Program
Request to acknowledge receipt of CD
containing St. Johns River Water Management District’s Water Resource
Development Work Program, updated for Fiscal Year 2006/2007, pursuant to
Section 373.536(6)(a)(4) of the Florida Statutes.
Annexation Ordinance from City of
Minneola
Request to acknowledge receipt of
Annexation Ordinance No. 2006-19, from the City of Minneola, annexing by
voluntary petition approximately 1,850 acres located south of the Florida
Turnpike, east of US Highway 27, and north of Old Highway 50, said property
being contiguous to the City of Minneola.
Passed and ordained the 10th day of October, 2006, by the
City Council of the City of Minneola, Florida.
2007 Governing Board Meeting Schedule
for St. Johns River Water Management
District
Request to acknowledge receipt of
2007 Governing Board Meeting Schedule for the St. Johns River Water Management
District. Meetings are held at the
Palatka District Headquarters, 4049 Reid Street (Hwy. 100 West), Palatka,
Florida, on the following dates:
January 9, 2007 February
13, 2007
March 13, 2007 April
10, 2007
May 8, 2007 June
12, 1007
July 10, 2007 August
7, 2007
September 11, 2007 September
25, 2007 (Final Budget Hearing)
October 9, 2007 November
13, 2007
December 11, 2007
Notice of Meeting – Arlington Ridge
Community Development District
Request to acknowledge receipt of
Notice of Meeting – Arlington Ridge Community Development District – A meeting
of the Board of Supervisors of the Arlington Ridge Community Development
District is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, November 14, 2006, at 10:00
a.m. The
meeting will be held at the Arlington Ridge Administration Building, 4463
Arlington Ridge Boulevard, Leesburg, Florida.
Excess Fees Returned to Board of
County Commissioners from Clerk of Courts
Request to acknowledge receipt of
excess fees returned to Board of County Commissioners from Clerk of Circuit
Court, in the amount of $1,022,398.29.
Notice Before the Florida Public
Service Commission
Request to acknowledge receipt of
Notice Before the Florida Public Service Commission – Supplemental Notice of
Hearing to All Investor-Owned Electric and Gas Utilities and All Other Parties
and Interested Persons, regarding the following:
Docket No. 060001-EI – Fuel and Purchased Power Cost
Recovery Clause with
Generating Performance Incentive
Factor.
Docket No. 041291-EI – Petition for Authority to
Recover Prudently Incurred Storm
Restoration Costs Related to 2004 Storm Season that
Exceed Storm Reserve Balance,
by Florida Power and Light Company.
Issued: November 6, 2006
Public Official Bond for North Lake
County Hospital District Board
Request to acknowledge receipt of
Public Official Bond for Mr. Frank T.
Gaylord, who was unopposed in his election to the Board of Trustees, North Lake
County Hospital District Board, Seat One, for a term ending November 8,
2006. His second term will be from
November 8, 2006 to November 2, 2010.
Annual Appropriation Resolution from
Arlington Ridge Community Development
District
Request to acknowledge receipt of
Annual Appropriation Resolution No. 2006-11, from the Arlington Ridge Community
Development District, relating to the annual appropriations, and adopting the
Budget for the Fiscal Year beginning October 1, 2006 and ending September 30,
2007.
COUNTY MANAGER’S CONSENT AGENDA
Commr. Stivender stated that she
would like to pull Tab 7, a request from Economic Growth and Redevelopment for approval
to be a sponsor of Lake County Days 2007, to be held in Tallahassee, for
discussion.
On a motion by Commr. Stivender,
seconded by Commr. Hill and carried unanimously, by a 5-0 vote, the Board
approved the following requests:
Community Services
Request for
approval of adoption of
the FY 2006/07 Annual Plan of Service and Combined Budget for the Lake County
Library System.
Request for approval of the FY
2006/07 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funding Approval/Agreement;
authorize the Chairman to sign it; and direct the Department of Community
Services to implement the programs covered under the Agreement.
Request for approval and
authorization for the Chairman to sign the First Amendment to the FY 2005/06
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Partnership Agreement between the
Forest Hills-Lake Mack Association and the County – Commission District 5.
Request for approval to allow the
County Manager or his/her designee to approve check requests for the Affordable
Housing programs, not to exceed $35,000.00.
Employee Services
Request for approval of the update to
the County’s Section 125 Plan (Flexible Spending Program); and approval and
signature authorization for Resolution No. 2006-212.
Request for approval of the revision
of the Drug Free Workplace Policy.
Request for approval of the revision
of the Violence Policy – LCC-74.
Growth Management
Request for approval and execution of
a Release of Fine, Property Owner: Shelly and Annie Lou Johnson Hawkins, Code
Enforcement Case No. CEB 313-00 – Commission District 4.
Request for approval and execution of
a Release of Fine, Property Owner: Charles Donnis McCann, Jr., Code Enforcement
Case No. 2002020167 – Commission District 5.
Request for approval and execution of
a Release of Fine, Property Owner: Donald K. Lewis, Code Enforcement Case No.
CEB 137-99 – Commission District 3.
Procurement
Request for approval and execution of
the First Amendment to Professional Engineering Consultants, Inc., to extend
the contract through September 30, 2007.
Request for approval to (1) declare
the items on the submitted lists as surplus to county needs; (2) authorize the
removal of all of the items on said lists from the County’s official fixed
asset inventory system records; and (3) authorize the Procurement Services
Director to sign the vehicle titles. The items on said lists have been declared
surplus by their respective agencies, due to age, wear, and obsolescence.
Request for approval of the contract
for Construction Manager (CM) services, in support of the Umatilla Health
Clinic, under RSQ No.05-147, to R.D. Michaels, Inc.
Request for approval and execution of
a contract with Moffatt & Nichol, Inc., in the total amount of $350,834.25.
Public Safety
Request for approval of (1) the FY 07
Members Project – Special Appropriation 1589A Agreement, in the amount of
$1,000,000.00; and (2) Resolution No. 2006-213, authorizing appropriation and
expenditure of unanticipated funds.
Public Works
Request for approval to accept public
right of way deeds that have been secured, in conjunction with roadway and/or
stormwater projects, as follows: one Statutory Warranty Deed, one Quitclaim
Deed, two Temporary Non-Exclusive Construction Easement and Perpetual Wall and
Grading Easement – Commission Districts 2 and 3.
Request for approval and signature
authorization for Resolution No. 2006-214,
to advertise a public hearing for Vacation Petition No. 1083, Charles E.
Bailes, Jr. – Representative C. David Brown, to vacate tracts and rights of way
in the Plat of Monte Vista Park Farms, located in Sections 9 and 16, Township
23S, Range 26E, in the Clermont area – Commission District 2.
Request for approval and signature
authorization for Resolution No. 2006-215,
to advertise a public hearing for Vacation Petition No. 1099, Marjorie
Morphet, to vacate a right of way in the Plat of Groveland Farms, located in
Section 9, Township 23S, Range 24E, in the Groveland area – Commission District
2.
Request for approval and signature
authorization for Resolution No. 2006-216 , to advertise a public hearing for
Vacation Petition No. 1100, A. Tom Harb, to vacate unnamed right of way in the
Plat of Plaza Collina, located in Section 25, Township 22S, Range 26E, in the
Clermont area – Commission District 2.
Request for authorization to accept the
final plat for Harbor Pines and all areas dedicated to the public, as shown on
the Harbor Pines plat; accept a maintenance bond, in the amount of $29,754.91;
execute a Developer’s Agreement for Maintenance of Improvements Between Lake
County and Howard W. Marshall; and execute Resolution No. 2006-217, accepting the following road into the
County Road Maintenance System:
Briarcliff Circle (CR 4580F).
Harbor Pines consists of 42 lots and is located in Section 21, Township
19S, Range 27E – Commission District 4.
ADDENDUM NO. 1
COUNTY MANAGER’S CONSENT AGENDA
(CONT’D.)
Growth Management
Request for approval and
authorization to execute two (2) Florida Communities Trust grant contracts, to
aid in the potential acquisition of properties in Districts 4 and 5.
ECONOMIC GROWTH AND REDEVELOPMENT
LAKE COUNTY DAYS IN TALLAHASSEE
Commr. Stivender stated that she
pulled this request, in order to give the Board an update on the issue of Lake
County Days in Tallahassee, noting that staff changed the process regarding it
this year, and that a committee made up of Ms. Dottie Keedy, Economic Growth
and Redevelopment Director; Ms. Margo Odom, a member of the Lake County
Industrial Development Authority; and Mr. Robert Johnson, representing the
Chamber Alliance of Lake County, would be handling it. She stated that a request came in for
$5,000.00, however, noted that, in the past, the County spent approximately
$2,500.00 in in-kind services, not $5,000, and that, with the number of businesses
that are stepping forward to help pay for Lake County Days, she feels that a
more appropriate number would be $2,500.00, rather than the $5,000.00 being
requested.
Commr. Cadwell thanked the Chamber
Alliance of Lake County for taking over the job, noting that it is a great
benefit for the County to have Lake County Days and even better when it does
not have to be done in-house.
A motion was made by Commr. Stivender
and seconded by Commr. Stewart to approve a request from Economic Growth and
Redevelopment, to be a sponsor of Lake County Days 2007, to be held in
Tallahassee, on Wednesday, February 7, 2007, and Thursday, February 8, 2007, in
the amount of $2,500.00, rather than $5,000.00, as requested.
Under discussion, Commr. Hill stated
that she had a problem with the County contributing monetarily in this fashion,
noting that the appearance and perception from the public that the County is
spending citizens’ dollars to party in Tallahassee gives a different tone to
it.
The Vice Chairman called for a vote
on the motion, which was carried, by a 4-1 vote.
Commr. Hill voted “No”.
COUNTY ATTORNEY’S CONSENT AGENDA
APPLICATIONS FOR TAX DEEDS
On a motion by Commr. Stivender,
seconded by Commr. Hill and carried unanimously, by a 5-0 vote, the Board approved
a request from the County Attorney for authorization to make applications for
tax deeds by the County on all parcels (except Homestead, on property valued
greater than $5,000.00) and Homestead property, where total taxes due are
greater than $100.00.
PRESENTATIONS
PRESENTATION OF ANNUAL EDUCATION
IMPACT FEE REPORT
Ms. Bonnie Penner, Chief Financial
Officer, Lake County Schools, addressed the Board and presented a brief Annual
Education Impact Fee Report, stating that what they had before them was a recap
of the expenditures from the Lake County Schools Impact Fee Fund for FY 2005/06
and their proposed budget for FY 2006/07.
She highlighted a few points from the prior years, noting that a bulk of
the dollars were extended for adding student stations at some existing middle
schools. She stated that they still have
some dollars remaining from the zones, which they are pulling and making sure
that they are being applied to the appropriate zones, and that they added
student stations at Tavares Middle School and Eustis Middle School, which was
the bulk of what was done out of last year’s dollars. She stated that, for the upcoming year, they
have a couple of larger projects that are being funded from impact fee dollars,
one being Elementary School “H”, in the south end of the County, which should
use all the dollars that are remaining from the south zone. She stated that it will be a $23 to $24
million school and is expected to be open for the upcoming school year. She stated that another large expenditure for
the upcoming year pertains to a community college partnership for a high school
to be located on the Lake-Sumter Community College Campus. She stated that they are finally able to
start building whole schools, rather than adding pieces to schools, which they
are very excited about. She stated that they have construction underway for
Elementary School “H”, as well, so they should be using said revenues
significantly in the upcoming year.
COUNTY MANAGER’S DEPARTMENTAL
BUSINESS
COMMUNITY SERVICES
NAME THE BUS CONTEST
Mr. Fletcher Smith, Community
Services Director, addressed the Board stating that the County is starting to
get the fixed route bus system up and running and wanted to have a name for it,
so they held a “Name the Bus” contest.
He stated that they presented the names that were submitted to the
Transportation Disadvantaged Coordinating Board at their meeting on November
13, 2006, and they selected the top three names that were being presented to
the Board this date, for the Board to make the final choice. He stated that, once the name has been
selected, the individual that submitted that name will be notified and invited
to participate in the opening festivities, when the County starts the fixed
route bus system, and said individual will receive a one year pass to ride the
bus free.
Mr. Ken Harley, Lake County Public
Transportation Manager, addressed the Board stating that 245 entries were
received, but the three that the Transportation Disadvantaged Coordinating
Board recommended were, as follows:
Lake Transit Express
Bus Around Lake
Chain O’Lakes Transport (COLT)
A motion was made by Commr. Stivender
that the Board approve Lake Transit Express, as submitted by the Transportation
Disadvantaged Coordinating Board, but the motion died for lack of a second.
On a motion by Commr. Stivender,
seconded by Commr. Hill and carried unanimously, by a 5-0 vote, the Board
approved a request from Community Services to select a winner for the “Name the
Bus” contest and naming of the new fixed route bus system and chose the name of
Lakexpress.
Commr. Stivender stated that, with
regard to the “Stuff the Bus” project, letters were sent to the various
Walmarts in the County and three out of four stated that the County could
locate buses in front of their stores the first two weekends in December, for
the purpose of collecting food for the needy.
She noted that it is also a good way to advertise the new bus and its
name.
PUBLIC WORKS
ROAD MAINTENANCE DEED AND AGREEMENT
Mr. Jim Stivender, Jr., Public Works
Director, addressed the Board stating that, in 2002, the County entered into a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Turnpike Authority, along with the
City of Leesburg, to transfer right of way to them for the realignment of CR
470, as part of their interchange work, with the understanding that the
realigned portion of CR 470 and the associated right of way would be
transferred back to the County, upon completion of the interchange. He stated that there had been a debate going
on between all the parties involved, but they were able to work it out and are
now ready to accept the interchange and associated side roads into county
maintenance.
On a motion by Commr. Stivender,
seconded by Commr. Hill and carried unanimously, by a 5-0 vote, the Board
approved a request from Public Works to accept a deed, as submitted to the
County, for that portion of CR 470 that was realigned, as part of the
interchange work at CR 470, and then accept responsibility for road
maintenance, as outlined in the 2002 Agreement that was submitted to the County
– Commission District 3.
PUBLIC HEARING
ORDINANCE AMENDING LAND DEVELOPMENT
REGULATIONS TO ALLOW
FOR RECOGNITION OF FRACTIONAL
SECTIONS
Mr. Sandy Minkoff, County Attorney,
placed the proposed Ordinance on the floor, for its first reading, by title
only, as follows:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
LAKE
COUNTY, FLORIDA; AMENDING SECTION 14.11.00, LAKE
COUNTY
CODE, APPENDIX E. LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS,
ENTITLED
MINOR LOT SPLITS, FAMILY DENSITY EXCEPTION AND
AGRICULTURAL LOT SPLITS; ADDING PROVISIONS IN SECTION
14.11.01, MINOR LOT SPLITS, AND SECTION 14.11.03,
AGRICULTURAL
LOT SPLITS, FOR FRACTIONAL SECTIONS IN THE CREATION OF
LOTS
FIVE (5) ACRES IN SIZE OR LARGER; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY;
PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN THE CODE; PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
Commr.
Stewart stated that 10% seemed to be a lot of leeway and questioned whether it
could be reduced.
It was
noted that it could be reduced.
Commr.
Renick interjected that she had some questions about the Ordinance, as well,
noting that she assumed it was prompted by the County running into some
surveying problems. She stated that her initial reaction was that, when the
Board talks about something that deals with land development regulations, they
could be changed as they come through the variance process. She questioned
staff about the matter, at which time she noted that some people are concerned
that allowing this would increase densities and create problems, as far as the
County’s Comprehensive Plan is concerned.
She noted that, on Page 2 of the Ordinance, it states that a Minot Lot
Split shall not be approved within a platted subdivision, when such lot split
changes the character of the subdivision, or where the lot split increases the
density beyond the general nature of the subdivision. She stated that, for those people that were
concerned about it, she wanted them to know that it was not a concern and that
she would entertain the idea of it being less than 10%. She stated that the Ordinance talks about
creating lot sizes of five acres or larger, however, questioned whether the
issue was not that it would be creating some smaller lots.
Mr. Sandy
Minkoff, County Attorney, stated that, on Page 2 of the Ordinance, Line 44, it
states that, if one is on a clay road, it requires 20 acres, with one acre of
uplands. He stated that he felt it was
written that way, so that the 20 acres could be reduced. He stated that it is not only five acre lots,
noting that sometimes it is larger than five acre lots.
Commr.
Renick stated that the request indicates the Ordinance was approved by the
Local Planning Agency (LPA) on September 21, 2006, and that she would like to
see the vote, noting that it was very important to her whether the vote was 5
to 4, or unanimous. She noted that she
would like to see the notes of their discussion, as well.
Commr.
Cadwell suggested postponing action regarding the Ordinance until a later date,
to allow Commr. Renick to obtain the information she was requesting.
Mr. Minkoff
stated that the Ordinance would have to be readvertised and would probably come
back to the Board the first meeting in January.
The Vice Chairman
opened the public hearing regarding the request to postpone the Ordinance until
a later date.
No one was
present in opposition to the request.
There being
no one present who wished to address the Board, the Vice Chairman closed the
public hearing.
On a motion
by Commr. Renick, seconded by Commr. Stivender and carried unanimously, by a
5-0 vote, the Board postponed action regarding the proposed Ordinance amending Section
14.11.00 of the Land Development Regulations, to allow for the recognition of Fractional
Sections, for purposes of creating parcels five (5) acres or larger, when
created through the Minor or Agriculture lot split process, until the first
meeting in January, 2007.
REPORTS – COUNTY MANAGER
CANCELLATION AND RESCHEDULING OF FUTURE
BOARD MEETINGS
Ms. Cindy Hall, County Manager,
stated that the Board Meeting scheduled for December 26, 2006, had already been
cancelled and that staff was scheduling the Zoning cases to be heard on
December 19, 2006. She suggested that
the January 2nd Board Meeting be cancelled, as well, however, noted
that, due to the length of time between meetings, it may cause the January 2nd
meeting to be a lengthy one. She stated
that staff will see how heavy that agenda turns out to be and, if it turns out to
be a light agenda, staff may come back to the Board and request that the
January 2nd meeting be cancelled.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION GRANT FROM
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Ms. Cindy Hall, County Manager,
informed the Board that she had received a request through the City of Mount
Dora, for the County to support a $40,000.00 grant that they are seeking from
the Florida Department of State, for historic preservation, to conduct a
historic building survey. She stated that,
typically, support from other entities contributes to the success of that and
asked for a consensus from the Board for staff to write a letter in support of
the grant, for the Vice Chairman’s signature.
It was the consensus of the Board
that said letter be sent to the Florida Department of State, in support of said
grant.
REPORTS – COMMISSIONER HILL –
DISTRICT 1
WELCOME TO NEWLY ELECTED
COMMISSIONERS
Commr. Hill welcomed the newly
elected Commissioners, Elaine Renick and Linda Stewart, stating that she
appreciated them being members of the Board and that she looked forward to
working with them.
REPORTS – COMMISSIONER RENICK –
DISTRICT 2
CHANGE IN POLICY REGARDING EX-PARTE
MEETINGS
Commr. Renick stated that, after her
predecessor was elected eight years ago, he asked the Board to change the policy
regarding ex-parte meetings for land use and zoning issues and asked that the
Board consider changing the Code back to the way that it was. She suggested that staff be asked to bring it
back before the Board at a future meeting, for them to look at it again.
Mr. Sandy Minkoff, County Attorney,
informed the Board that it would take an Ordinance amendment to change the
Code. He stated that the Board would
need to approve advertising the Ordinance, which would then go to the Local
Planning Agency (LPA) and come forward to the Board as a recommendation from
the LPA.
Commr. Cadwell stated that he felt
the Board needed to have a discussion about the matter, before sending it to
the LPA.
It was the consensus of the Board
that staff not prepare the Ordinance at this time, but to only prepare the
Agenda item.
PRESENTATION TO LOCAL PLANNING AGENCY
REGARDING FARM TRUST
Commr. Renick stated that, at a
recent Local Planning Agency (LPA) Meeting, a presentation was given from a
number of agricultural interests and Mr. Richard Dunkel, a member of the LPA,
made a motion to ask the Board of County Commissioners to consider the
possibility of using the Farm Trust, with regard to preserving agricultural
lands. She stated that, since preserving
the rural character of Lake County is a big thing with her, she was very
interested in the matter and met with Mr. Dunkel; Ms. Cindy Hall, County
Manager; Mr. Phil Leary, a consultant for the Farm Bureau; and Mr. Jody Lee,
from the St. Johns River Water Management District, regarding it. She asked that the County Manager share with
the Board what occurred at that meeting, so that they could decide whether or
not they would like to have a presentation made to them by Mr. Leary about the
matter.
Ms. Hall informed the Board about
what transpired at said meeting, at which time Commr. Renick questioned whether
the Board would be interested in having a presentation made to the LPA first
and then to them about the matter.
Ms. Carol Stricklin, Growth
Management Director, addressed the Board stating that it was really an
implementation mechanism for policies in the Comprehensive Plan, noting that
there is a rural protection strategy emerging as a recommendation to the Board
and creating an agricultural land trust, as a means of implementing some of
those recommendations. She stated that
the question was the difference between conservation easements and agricultural
easements and the idea of a land trust for same, noting that the idea is
payment of a limited duration, to keep land in agriculture, where the County
might create an easement and keep the land permanently open. She stated that it would be payment for a
period of 10 to 30 years, to supplement the income of the farmers, so that they
can leave the land in agricultural use.
She stated that Hillsborough County has a very effective program that
could be a model for the County to consider, noting that staff could bring it
before the Board, for discussion, in terms of how the program might be
structured and the type of study that the County might anticipate doing.
Commr. Renick stated that there are
so many people in the County in agriculture that are not doing well that may
want to turn their land over to developments and this might be a way to ease
that pressure, to allow them to stay in agriculture, thus, helping the County
keep more open land. She questioned, as
far as the process is concerned, whether the Board could ask that a
presentation be made to the LPA and then to them.
Ms. Stricklin stated that staff would
be happy to make a presentation to the LPA and would put policies in the
Comprehensive Plan to reflect the LPA’s direction, however, noted that, in
terms of putting together a program, it would be something that the Board would
have to give them policy direction on.
Commr. Cadwell stated that the LPA
could hear the presentation and then decide whether or not to add language to
the Comprehensive Plan, however, noted that, in the meantime, the Board could
also hear the presentation, so that, when the Comprehensive Plan comes before them,
they would be educated about the program and be able to make a decision
regarding it.
It was the consensus of the Board
that said presentation be made to the LPA.
CHANGE IN LOCAL PLANNING AGENCY
MEMBERSHIP
Commr. Renick stated that she would like
to have the Local Planning Agency (LPA) membership changed, noting that she
realizes the appointments to said Agency will be discussed in January and the
new members will be seated in February of 2007, however, questioned whether the
Board would consider making changes earlier than February. She stated that she also realizes the
deadline for applications is December 1, 2006, so they would not be able to do
it before then, but could do it shortly after that. She stated that, since the School Board member
that currently sits on the LPA will no longer be a School Board member, as of
this evening, she was thinking that they could do the changes all at once. She stated that she was anxious to change the
representative for her district to someone that more closely reflects her views
on growth management and questioned whether there was any interest in the Board
changing the membership of the LPA a little early.
Commr. Cadwell questioned the County
Attorney about the matter and was told that the members of the LPA serve at the
pleasure of the Board, so the Board could make changes in the membership,
should they elect to do so. He noted
that some of the terms expire at the end of January, 2007.
Commr. Cadwell stated that the matter
would have to be put on an agenda and the Board would then need to make a
motion to remove the individuals in question from the LPA and another motion to
appoint their replacements. He stated
that he would assume one of the Agenda items for the next regularly scheduled
Board Meeting would be to give the newly elected Commissioners the option to
remove members from the LPA and appoint new members, however, asked that he be
provided with a list of the applicants, prior to that meeting, so that he can
educate himself about them.
REPORTS – COMMISSIONER STIVENDER –
DISTRICT 3
WELCOME TO NEWLY ELECTED
COMMISSIONERS (CONT’D.)
Commr. Stivender welcomed the newly
appointed Commissioners to the Board
REPORTS – COMMISSIONER STEWART –
DISTRICT 4
Commr. Stewart stated that one of the
reasons she ran for office was because she was concerned that the residential
growth in the County was far outpacing the creation of high wage jobs. She discussed appointing a task force that
could bring together the best and brightest minds in the field, so that they
can promote economic growth in the County, in an unbiased way, noting that she
strongly believes that is what takes the tax impact off the citizens of the
County. She proposed that the Board
strongly look into the matter.
Commr. Cadwell stated that the County
had started a similar process approximately one month ago and, when they did it
the first time, it was called an economic summit, as opposed to a task
force. He questioned where the County
was regarding the matter.
Ms. Cindy Hall, County Manager, stated
that the County is progressing with the Economic Development Strategic Plan and
that was one of the first things that staff was looking at doing – having a
plan and then, perhaps, as a part of that process, to bring forward a number of
interested parties. She stated that they
could hold a summit, should the Board choose to do so, noting that, if it was
something they would be interested in, staff could fold it into the process of
the Strategic Plan.
Commr. Cadwell suggested that, until
the Board meets in December and makes appointments to those types of
committees, staff meet with Commr. Stewart, so that they can start moving
forward with it. He informed the newly
elected Commissioners that, in December, they would receive a list of all the
committees and the Chairman at that time will make recommendations to the Board
for those committees, for approval by the Board. He encouraged them to indicate which
committees they would like to be appointed to, as the Liaison Commissioner.
REPORTS – COMMISSIONER CADWELL – VICE
CHAIRMAN AND DISTRICT 5
MARTIN LUTHER KING CELEBRATIONS
Commr. Cadwell stated that, in the
past, the Commissioners have participated in Martin Luther King Day
celebrations and he felt it would be nice for them to coordinate through Ms.
Wendy Taylor, Executive Office Manager, County Manager’s Office, as to who will
be attending what celebration, to ensure that there will be representation at
every event.
Commr. Hill reminded the Board that
the Chairman presents a Proclamation honoring Martin Luther King at a breakfast
that is held in his honor.
PARTICIPATION IN THE GIVING TOY BOX
AND TOYS FOR TOTS
Commr. Cadwell thanked those
employees who have been participating in The Giving Toy Box, noting that it is
a project the County has, along with Toys for Tots, and it has been very
successful.
LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE AND EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE MEETING
Commr. Cadwell informed the Board
that there will be a legislative conference in Walton County on Tuesday,
November 28, 2006, and he has an Executive Committee Meeting in the afternoon,
as well, so he may have to leave the Board Meeting scheduled for that day a
little early. He informed the newly
elected Commissioners that there will be an orientation process for new Commissioners,
as well, should they wish to participate in it.
CITIZEN QUESTION AND COMMENT PERIOD
No one present wished to address the
Board.
ADJOURNMENT
There
being no further business to be brought to the attention of the Board, the
meeting was adjourned at 10:33 a.m.
____________________________________
WELTON
CADWELL, VICE CHAIRMAN
ATTEST:
__________________________
JAMES C. WATKINS,
CLERK