MINUTES OF THE GLADES COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING ON MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 2015 AT 6:00 P.M. IN THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING ROOM, GLADES COUNTY COURTHOUSE, MOORE HAVEN, FLORIDA The Glades County Board of County Commissioners met on Monday, August 24, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. with the following Commissioners present: Tim Stanley, Chairman Weston Pryor, Vice Chairman Donna Storter Long Paul Beck John Ahern Others present: Julie Mann Braddock, Administrative Secretary Sandra H. Brown, Clerk of Court Tiffany Patterson, Finance Director Paul Carlisle, County Manager Avant Brown, County Road Superintendent Bob Jones, Public Safety Director Stuart Whiddon, Glades County Sheriff Lenice Hubbard, Administrative Assistant County Manager s Office Libby Maxwell, SFWMD Representative Missie Barletto, AIM Engineering Mary Booher, Librarian Angela Colegrove (and family) Bonita Drayton, Finance Department Jim Hull, AIM Engineering Brenda Choban, Finance Department Aletris Farnam, Road Department Anita Sauls, Finance Department 7 citizens Chairman Stanley called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. PRAYER Commissioner Beck gave the invocation. PLEDGE Commissioner Ahern led the Pledge of Allegiance. AGENDA AMENDMENTS There were none.
PRESENTATIONS / AWARDS 1. Recognition of Mrs. Angela Colgrove for her Professional Designation Achievement of Associate Emergency Manager (AEM) from International Association of Emergency Managers Chairman Stanley stated Angela Colegrove had been an employee of the County since October 1, 1996. He stated she recently received recognition from the International Association of Emergency Managers by being among the group of professionals designated Associate Emergency Manager. He stated this was the second highest honor of professional achievement available from the Association. He stated Mrs. Colegrove ranked 171 out of 9,000 individuals in the nation that belonged to this Association. He commended her for her dedication to the County and recent recognition. PUBLIC INPUT ON AGENDA ITEMS There was none. PUBLIC HEARINGS There were none. CONSENT AGENDA 2. Approved payment of County Warrants. (Exhibit A) General Fund: 76649 76739 Buckhead Ridge Utility: 0203 SHIP: 1624 1626 Intergovernmental Radio: 10277 Court Facilities Surcharge: 1080-1081 3. Approved the deletion of a Brother Model No. MFC-3360C, Dell Monitor, and Dell Computer from the Property Records of the Veteran s Service Office and declared them surplus. ON MOTION of Commissioner Beck seconded by Vice Chairman Pryor the Board approved the Consent Agenda items. BUSINESS AGENDA 4. Heavy Rescue Tools/Vehicle Extraction Tools (Jaws) Bob Jones, Public Safety Director, stated new heavy rescue tools would be purchased out of this year s budget. He stated the tool was an AMKUS (JAWS) cutter unit/spreader. He stated 3 bids had been received and he had tested all 3 tools. He stated he would like to delete and trade in some of the Department s old equipment a Hurst Power Unit, Hurst cutter, and 2 Hurst rams. He stated he had been given $700.00 trade in allowance. Commissioner Beck asked how many vehicle extraction tools Mr. Jones currently had. 2
Mr. Jones stated the Department currently had 5 units. He stated he would like to purchase an additional new unit next year. He explained that the cutters that were being used now were like a blade cutter and not a shearer. He stated that newer vehicles were being made of a material that could not be cut with the old units. He stated one of the cutter/spreaders he currently had was manufactured in 1988. He stated this new purchase would include one cutter, one spreader, a new power unit, and the hoses. Commissioner Storter Long asked if it would better to hold onto the old equipment rather than trade it in. She questioned practicing/training with the old equipment. Mr. Jones stated the Department had all kinds of tools to practice with. He stated AMKUS offered a life time warranty on the equipment as long as it was County owned and not abused. Commissioner Beck asked if the industry made a conversion cutter that could be used instead of having to purchase all new tools. Mr. Jones stated they did not. He stated the newer units had been totally redesigned. Commissioner Beck asked where the new unit would be assigned or if it would be kept in a central location for use by all Emergency personnel. Mr. Jones stated the new unit would probably be housed in the West District. He stated Buckhead Ridge had a new set of Champion tools that they had purchased a few years ago. He stated these tools were made to the newer standards. He stated he was hoping to be able to purchase 2 new units this year; however, the purchase of the second unit would have to wait until next year s budget. He stated after that purchase there would be a unit in each District. He stated that regardless of where the new unit was located, if it was needed that Department would be paged to the scene. He stated the current units still worked it just took longer to do the job. Commissioner Storter Long questioned the total price. Mr. Jones stated the AMKUS bid was the middle bid and had come in at $17,888.42. ON MOTION of Vice Chairman Pryor seconded by Commissioner Ahern the Board declared the following extraction tools surplus to County need; removed them from the Public Safety Department s Property Records: Power Unit - Serial #38790; Cutter/Spreader - Serial # 93197 CO # 0452; Ram Serial # 87701 CO # 02116; Ram Serial # 41770; Large Spreader # 88; and authorized disposed items to be used as tradein towards a replacement unit. 3
5. RG Towers Abandonment Agreements County Manager Carlisle stated these were similar to the agreements that the Board had previously approved for the towers in Buckhead Ridge. He stated these towers were located on Lykes Bros., Inc. property near Palmdale and Venus. He stated these agreements would allow the County to take the towers down should RG Towers abandon them. He stated RG Towers had posted a 110% bond so there would be no cost to the County if the towers had to be removed. ON MOTION of Commissioner Beck seconded by Commissioner Ahern the Board approved two (2) Abandonment Agreements with RG Towers, Lykes Bros., Inc. and Glades County BoCC for the removal of the tower(s) located as described in Exhibit A of the agreements at such time as the tower(s) are determined to be abandoned. Commissioner Storter Long asked if Attorney Pringle had prepared these agreements. County Manager Carlisle stated this was correct. He stated the only difference was some specific language that Lykes Bros., Inc. wanted included in the ingress/egress easement description. (See Exhibits B and C) 6. Alvin Ward Park Airboat Ramp Funding County Manager Carlisle stated in the past, the Board had discussed construction of an airboat ramp at the Alvin Ward Park. He stated there had been some delay with the reissuance of the lease with the Army Corps of Engineers. He stated Mr. Brown had received 3 quotes. He stated Gene Woods & Sons Concrete, LLC had submitted the lowest bid in the amount of $8,640.00. He stated this was the same company that had constructed the boat ramps at the Harney Pond Canal. He stated he was requesting that the funds be allocated from the One Cent fund instead of the Parks/Boat Ramps fund. He stated the remaining $5,000.00 in the Parks/Boat Ramps fund would be used to finish the No Wake zones in the Harney Pond Canal area. Vice Chairman Pryor stated he believed by moving the airboats away from the kicker boats the County would be resolving a safety issue. ON MOTION of Vice Chairman Pryor seconded by Commissioner Beck the Board approved the encumbrance of $8,640.00 from the One Cent fund to be allocated for the construction of an Airboat Ramp at the Alvin Ward Park. Chairman Stanley asked if this ramp would accommodate regular boats as well. County Manager Carlisle stated the airboat ramp would be a shallower angle but could accommodate regular boats as well. He stated he had sent the drawings and the location 4
of the ramp to the Army Corps of Engineers and would wait for their approval prior to the commencement of construction. 7. State Aid to Libraries Grant Agreement ON MOTION of Commissioner Storter Long seconded by Commissioner Ahern the Board approved the State Aid to Libraries Grant Agreement. (See Exhibit D) 8. Rural Infrastructure Grant County Manager Carlisle stated this was the grant the that the County had been waiting for from the Department of Economic Opportunity to design the infrastructure for both the Business Park and Americas Gateway s entrance, utilities, water, sewer, roadway, and drainage. He asked that the Board approve the agreement and authorize the Chairman to sign. He stated he had received an email from Loves Travel Stop inquiring about the elevation of the pond. He stated they were ready to send their contractors as soon as the elevations were complete. Commissioner Storter Long asked if a survey would be included in the design. County Manager Carlisle stated the design would include everything. ON MOTION of Commissioner Beck seconded by Commissioner Storter Long the Board approved the agreement with the Department of Economic Opportunity and Glades County for $300,000.00 to be used for the design, permitting, and bidding of the infrastructure for Americas Gateway and the Business Park. (See Exhibit E) 9. Americas Gateway and Business Park Roadway Design County Manager Carlisle stated this was a Supplemental Task Agreement from AIM Engineering. He stated AIM had completed the first phase of the Business Park, the roadway, permitting, and drainage. He stated AIM Engineering had submitted an excellent price ($198,500.00) for this additional work. He stated this would leave $100,000.00 in the grant. He stated he would be asking the Department of Economic Opportunity to reallocate the remaining funds for construction costs. He stated this agreement would cover the utility design, roadway design, additional stormwater impact, and the entrance way into Americas Gateway, including lift stations, water and sewer. ON MOTION of Commissioner Ahern seconded by Commissioner Storter Long the Board approved Supplemental Task Authorization #5 for AIM Engineering in the amount of 5
$198,500.00 to design, permit, bid and manage the construction for the utilities and roadways in the Business Park and the entrance to Americas Gateway. 10. Roadway Paving Lakeport Avant Brown, Glades County Road Superintendent, stated these roads were on the paving list for this year and he would like to piggy back their paving on the current bid with Asphalt Paving Systems for the paving of Old Lakeport Road and Loop Road. He stated Asphalt Paving System had quoted the same price per ton for these roads. He stated this would save the County on mobilization costs and impacts on the residents. He stated Jerdik Drive, Bay Drive, and Mayford Lake Road would be paved if the Board approved the proposal. ON MOTION of Vice Chairman Pryor seconded by Commissioner Storter Long the Board approved the proposal from Asphalt Paving Systems in the amount of $127,560.00 for the paving of Jerdik Drive, Bay Drive and Mayford Lake Road. Commissioner Beck declared a conflict of interest and stated he would abstain from the vote on the floor. Motion carried by 4 0 vote. Commissioner Beck abstained from the vote due to a conflict of interest. (See Exhibit F) 11. Wright Construction Training Center Payment Request County Manager Carlisle stated the Appropriation Agreement for the Training Center extension required that all documentation, billing and canceled checks be submitted to the Department of Economic Opportunity for processing by September 15, 2015. He stated time was getting close and to ensure sufficient time to submit the documentation and the opportunity to address any concerns he would like the Board to authorize payment to Wright Construction Group, Inc. He stated he had an estimated invoice for $476,795.24 which was the amount BSSW Architects had certified was satisfactorily complete on the project. ON MOTION of Commissioner Storter Long seconded by Commissioner Beck the Board approved payment to Wright Construction Group, Inc. in the amount of $476,795.24 as approved by BSSW Architects as work that has been satisfactorily completed. COUNTY ATTORNEY There was no discussion. 6
COUNTY MANAGER & DEPARTMENT HEADS County Manager Carlisle stated he and Vice Chairman Pryor would be attending the FAC meeting tomorrow. He stated if the Commissioners had any further comments on what they would like to see presented as legislative priorities to please let him know. He stated the issue with the fire fighter training, PILOT, conservation lands, and reimbursement versus pay it forward were the top four priorities at this point. He stated the Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission would be holding a meeting on September 2, 2015 in Fort Lauderdale and would be discussing the Position Statement on panthers. He stated Commissioner Storter Long had requested that he attend. He asked for direction from the Board. Commissioner Storter Long commended County Manager Carlisle on how well he spoke for and represented the County at the previous FWC meeting. She stated this issue was not going to go away. She stated she felt that FWC was going to take a position that was a lot more realistic and the Board needed to support it and show why we were concerned. It was the consensus of the Board to have County Manager Carlisle attend the FWC meeting in Fort Lauderdale on September 2, 2015. County Manager Carlisle stated the Training Center was really coming along nicely. He commended Wright Construction Group, Inc. on the phenomenal job they had done constructing the facility. He stated he had met with the furniture company s representative today and a few revisions had been made. He stated he should have the revised cost in the near future. He stated he had a conference call scheduled for tomorrow with the Advisory Committee. He stated fundraisers and sponsorships for the different portions of the building would be discussed. He stated these would be brought back to the Board for review. He stated Electa Waddell, Public Information Officer - Hendry County, had helped determine that it would cost approximately $2.5 million to run the facility for 5 years. He stated they had decided to raise those funds through the sale of sponsorships and donations. He stated there would be a follow up meeting on September 4, 2015. He stated the August 20 th meeting had been very fruitful and a lot of great ideas had been discussed. CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS Sandra H. Brown, Clerk of Court, stated she had received the Supplemental Codification to the Code of Ordinances. She stated if any of the Commissioners needed the supplement to let her know. She stated the Code of Ordinances and the Supplemental Codification were also available on-line. Commissioner Storter Long stated an issue had come up regarding the Family Homestead Ordinance. She explained the Ordinance. She stated the County had adopted a rezoning Ordinance and then later rescinded it and adopted a stand-alone Ordinance whereby they adopted the Florida Statute regarding family homestead (Chapter 163.3179, Florida Statues). She stated this would not be a zoning issue nor a 7
land development regulation issue. She stated this Ordinance may need to be revisited in the near future. County Manager Carlisle stated it appeared that the intent of the Board was to adopt the standards of that specific statute. He stated he would discuss the matter with Attorney Pringle and get his legal opinion. He stated Attorney Pringle could provide his comments at the next day meeting and if it was something that needed to be revisited the Board could make that decision then. PUBLIC INPUT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS There was none. COMMISSIONERS ITEMS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Storter Long stated the 5 th Annual Veteran s Dinner would be held on November 7 th, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. at the Doyle Conner Building. She stated she would have tickets available for purchase in the near future. She urged everyone to visit www.littfreelibrary.org. She stated she did appreciate County Manager Carlisle having Inga Williams, Community Development Director, send the Commissioners the redistricting maps. She stated Holly Whiddon, Supervisor of Elections, also had a redistricting map that she had been working on that was based on voter registrations rather than population. She stated she understood that the maps had to be based on populations; however, she thought it may be possible to plug in Mrs. Whiddon s boundary lines and see how close the numbers were. Commissioner Ahern stated the Board would probably not have time to finish the redistricting this year, but he felt that the Board should continue to work on the maps. County Manager Carlisle stated it would depend on how the boundaries lined up. He stated if Mrs. Whiddon s precinct/districts were changed she would have to have time to notify everyone involved. He stated if the Board was not able to complete the redistricting this year it would have to wait until 2017. He asked for direction from the Board. Commissioner Storter Long stated the Board could choose to readopt what they already had. She stated there was always an issue with the prison population. She stated one of the goals of getting it done was to try to get the districts and precincts to be the same for the School Board as they were for the County. County Manager Carlisle stated a workshop could be scheduled with the School Board if the Board desired. Commissioner Ahern stated this matter was on the School Board s next agenda for discussion. 8
Chairman Stanley suggested continuing to work on the maps even if staff was not able to complete them this year. There was a discussion regarding who made up the population in the districts and whether or not a workshop should be scheduled with the School Board. It was the consensus of the Board to notify the School Board that they were willing to schedule a workshop regarding the redistricting maps. Commissioner Ahern stated he had attended a GCDC meeting today. He stated the numbers looked better than last month and the inmate count was up to 157. He stated Mr. DeMann continued to look for alternative methods of funding. He stated there was still no progress on getting any more customers. He asked if County Manager Carlisle had shared with the other Commissioners the EDC letter that Tracy Whirls, Executive Director EDC, had sent out giving an update on the last conference she had attended. County Manager Carlisle stated he had not but that he would send a copy of the letter to each Commissioner. Vice Chairman Pryor stated the annual Chicken Wing Cook-Off would be held under the bridge on Saturday, September 12 th. He stated this year all proceeds would go the AR Program at the school. He stated if anyone was interested in participating or being a sponsor they could contact Leslie Pryor or Kevin Bryant. He thanked Mrs. Booher for the excellent job she does at the library. Commissioner Beck had no comments. Chairman Stanley stated he had been looking at ways to improve the fire services within the County. He suggested that any County employee that was physically able to train be offered some kind of incentive to become a fire fighter. He suggested that they be compensated (maybe $50.00 - $60.00) per pay period for their efforts. He stated they could be trained on company time. He stated if only 5 employees trained the County would have 5 additional fire fighters. He suggested that if they were called out on the weekends or after hours that they be paid overtime. He stated he did not know if there were any companies that offered the training or if an instructor could be hired to come out and re-establish the volunteer fire departments within the County and train the volunteers. He stated he would be looking into the matter further. He stated Muse had a fire department but no volunteer staff to run it. He stated they claimed to have people willing to do the work but could not get the training. Commissioner Beck stated the Muse Community had been offered training several times; however, they could not get participants. He stated the brush fire training hours were significantly lower than the structure fire training hours and still they could not get participants. 9
Mr. Jones stated he had 3 instructors within the County and a class would start next month in LaBelle. He stated the class had been advertised and they had 5 people from the County that would be attending. Commissioner Storter Long stated if the County employees were willing to do the training she would not object to Chairman Stanley s idea. Commissioner Beck suggested that if the County offered the training and people genuinely wanted to attend perhaps the County could pay them for their time while training. He suggested that this could be offered to anyone, not just County employees. County Manager Carlisle suggested only paying the person if they passed the training. Chairman Stanley stated the County needed someone to get out in the communities and organize the fire departments. Commissioner Ahern commented on the idea of paying for the training for County employees. He stated the City of Moore Haven had put some money in their budget to help supplement the employees; however, no one had taken the offer. He stated he still felt that it was a great idea. He stated David White had recently moved to the Muse area and asked Mr. Jones if Mr. White was associated with the fire department in Muse. He stated Mr. White had been a fire fighter when he lived in LaBelle. Mr. Jones stated Mr. White had spoken with them about the fire department several weeks ago but he had not heard from him again. He stated there were numerous people that lived in the area that were certified fire fighters but because they were employed with Lee County they were not permitted to volunteer for Glades County. Chairman Stanley stated any assistance the County could get would help tremendously. He stated the biggest incentive to the County employees would be that if the County did implement a MSBU for fire services these people could be hired as firemen immediately. ADJOURN ON MOTION of Commissioner Beck seconded by Vice Chairman Pryor the Board adjourned the meeting. There being no further discussion, Chairman Stanley adjourned the meeting at 6:55 p.m. 10
ATTEST: Tim Stanley, Chairman Sandra H. Brown, Clerk of the Circuit Court Approved: September 8, 2015 THESE MINUTES ARE NOT A VERBATIM RECORD. TAPES ARE AVAILABLE FOR ANYONE INTERESTED IN LISTENING TO THE ENTIRE MEETING. 11