REGULAR 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. BOOK 21 PAGE 849 030111REG
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.
BOOK 21 PAGE 849
030111REG
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.
BOOK 21 PAGE 850
SMB 86 Page 3A.pdf
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.
BOOK 21 PAGE 851
03-01-11 (ITEM 7H).pdf
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
BOOK 21 PAGE 852
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03-01-11 (ITEM 7K).pdf
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.
BOOK 21 PAGE 853
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.
BOOK 21 PAGE 854
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Res Book 23 Page 309.pdf
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.
BOOK 21 PAGE 855