The Board of County Commissioners asks that all cell phones are turned off or placed on silent (vibrate) mode. Any handouts (information) for distribution to the Commission must be submitted to the Board Secretary (Clerk’s Office) or to the County Coordinator on or before the Thursday prior to that Tuesday’s meeting. Failure to do so will result in your removal from the agenda or a delay of any action relating to your request until a future meeting.
Call to Order
Prayer and Pledge
Approval of Minutes
Payment of County Bills
Public Comments
This is an opportunity for the public to comment on agenda or non-agenda items. When you are recognized to be heard by the Chairman, please sign the speaker’s log and adhere to the time limit. An individual will be allowed to speak for three minutes whereas a designated representative of a group or faction will be allowed to speak for five minutes.
Department Directors Report
Superintendent of Public Works – Howard Nabors
Action Items:
None
Information Items:
Work Performed & Material Hauled by District (Report)
Solid Waste Director – Fonda Davis
Action Items:
AIR CURTAIN INCINERATOR REFURBISH:
FOR BOARD ACTION: At the February 4, 2020 board meeting I left some information with you all showing what it would cost to refurbish the incinerator, I also included the price of a new incinerator. The quote for refurbish is from two different individuals.
Attached Proposals:
Wilkinson Industrial Services, LLC $34,180.00
2Mile Welding Services, $29,334.32
REQUESTED ACTION: For board approval to have the air curtain incinerator refurbished.
Information Items:
Right of Way Debris Pickup/Recycle Material Hauled
Emergency Management Director – Pam Brownell
Action Items:
None
Information Items:
EOC Staff worked on updating the LMS (Local Mitigation Strategy).
FCEM Staff attended FEPA Conference and Training in Daytona on February 3-7 where Tress Dameron was pinned with her FPEM Certification and Jennifer Daniels was voted into the Certification Commission and elected as Region 2 alternate Area Governor.
FCEM Staff continues to work on FEMA reimbursement claims from Hurricane Michael. This includes working with FEMA staff regarding mitigation of damaged parks, roads, etc. Mitigation takes some time but EOC Staff continue to work diligently with FEMA Staff on the most beneficial repairs for Franklin County.
FCEM has gone out for bids for the Architectural and Engineering Planning and Design Services.
FEMA Projects worksheet is attached (agenda packet) of all projects
Extension Office Director – Erik Lovestrand
Action Items:
None
Information Items:
County Extension Activities February 5 – February 18, 2020
General Extension Activities:
• Extension office assisted clientele with issues related to citrus health, soil samples, poultry pests, fruit trees in the landscape and more.
• Work continues on readying the new Extension Office location for a public opening.
Sea Grant Extension:
• Extension Director participated in conference call with ACF Stakeholders (Apalachicola Caucus) call regarding planning for hosting the upcoming ACFS Governing Board meeting in Eastpoint/Apalachicola on March 2-3.
• Extension Director working with Bay and Gulf County CEDs to submit proposal for Hurricane Michael marine debris cleanup.
4-H Youth Development:
• Extension Director and local 4-H youth participated in the quarterly District III Council meeting in Wakulla County. Planning is underway for the District Teen Retreat that will be held at Camp Timpoochee.
• The Extension office hosted the County contest for the Tropicana Public Speaking Competition at the new office location. Winners from the 4/5 grade and 6th grade divisions will move on to the District contest which will be held at the Wakulla County Extension office on April 25.
Family Consumer Sciences:
• Family Nutrition Program (FNP) Assistant teaching hands-on cooking skills with pre-K youth to 8th grade with “Kids in the Kitchen curriculum. Includes kitchen safety, cooking skills, how to follow recipes and, always the favorite part, taste testing.
• FNP Program Assistant has begun teaching with adult senior group at First Baptist.
Horticulture/Agricultures:
• Extension Director visited the Wildflower garden area at the Apalachicola Reserve to serve as an expert on a grant application for funding to do more work.
University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
Franklin County Educational Team
Erik Lovestrand, County Extension Director/Sea Grant Regional Specialized Agent
Michelle Huber, Office Manager/Program Assistant, Franklin County
Kayle Mears, Family Nutrition Program Assistant
Samantha Kennedy, Wakulla County Family and Consumer Sciences
Rachel Pienta, Ph.D., Wakulla County 4-H Youth Development
Scott Jackson, Sea Grant/Agriculture/Technology, Regional Specialized Agent Bay County
Melanie G. Taylor, Gulf County 4-H/Family and Consumer Sciences
Ray Bodrey, Gulf County CED/Agriculture/Horticulture/Sea Grant
Heather Kent, 4-H Regional Specialized Agent
Les Harrison, Wakulla County CED/Agriculture/Small Farms/Horticulture
John Wells, Northwest Extension District Information Technology Expert
Pete Vergot III, Ph.D., Northwest District Extension Director
TDC Administrator – John Solomon – Report
Collections Report: The November (2019) collections were $57,067.01 a 35% decrease over November 2018 which is understandable. After the hurricane the month of November was very high and we consider an anomaly. November 2017 collections were $49,440.74 which was the highest ever collected in the month of November until November 2018’s number of $87,784.31. Using the 2017 collections numbers in true tourism numbers November 2019 was $7,726.27 a 9% Increase more and we consider it to be the highest collected in tourism collection for the month of November.
Web Site Activity: We had 35,290 web hits in the month of January (2020) an increase of 5% over last January.
Visitor Center Numbers: The Visitor Centers welcomed 2,768 visitors in the month of January.
Meeting Cancelation: The TDC Board voted to cancel the April 2020 meeting so that all TDC Board members and Vendors have the opportunity to attend the Visit Florida Adventure Tourism Conference being held in Apalachicola on April 7th & 8th
Meetings: The next scheduled board meeting is March 11th 2020 @ 2:00pm at the Eastpoint Visitor Center.
Board of Adjustment – Amy Ham-Kelly – Report
BOA Recommendation: (2/2 Vote) Motion to Approve- Motion Died
BCC Request- Motion to Approve, Table or Deny.
BOA Action: Unanimous Vote in favor.
BCC Request: Approve, Table or Deny
Planning and Zoning – Amy Ham-Kelly – Report
PZ Recommendation: (Unanimous) Recommended approval.
BCC Action: Approve, Table or Deny
PZ Recommendation: (Unanimous) Recommendation to approve the dock with the submittal of a professional survey showing the riparian lines not being crossed since the proposed dock is within 25 feet of the riparian line and obtaining the Army Corps permit. (applicant has supplied a letter authorizing the 13 foot distance from riparian line)
BCC Action: Approve, Table or Deny
PZ Recommendation: (4/1 Vote) Recommend approval contingent upon applying for a DEP Exemption and obtaining the Federal Permit.
BCC Action: Approve, Table or Deny
PZ Recommendation: (Unanimous) Recommend approval contingent upon Federal Permit.
BCC Action: Approve, Table or Deny
Building Department - Amy Ham-Kelly - Report
Public Hearings
Board Action: Approve, Table or Deny
Board Action: Approve, Table or Deny
Board Action: Approve, Table or Deny
Board Action: Approve, Table or Deny
Board Action: Approve, Table or Deny
CDBG Administrator – Report (Deborah Belcher)
Action Items:
February 13, 2020REPORT TO THE FRANKLIN COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
HOUSING CDBG GRANT for EASTPOINT FIRE VICTIMS
I am continuing to coordinate mobile home purchases for the Eastpoint fire victims.
Bid Approval:
At the January 21, 2020 meeting, the Board approved the application for mobile home replacement for Mary C. and James Alvin Banks, 754 Ridge Road, subject to environmental clearance and final verifications. We are now ready to proceed. Anticipating potential CDBG projects that were not specifically identified in October 2019, a generic 3 bedroom 2 bathroom mobile home replacement was included in the second CDBG mobile home bid package. We received bids from 3 vendors. Titan Factory Direct/Champion Homes submitted a bid that is considerably higher than the other 2 vendors, Clayton Homes of Panama City and Ironwood Homes of Perry. The Banks selected the Ironwood Homes proposed model, priced at $70,835.50, which is slightly less than the price of the comparable Clayton model. The generic bids do not include demolition of the existing home, which will be added to the initial price. The existing necessary handicap ramp and covered porch might be salvageable, but some funds will be required for modifications. The total price will be approximately $76,475.
Requested Action: Approve up to $76,475 in CDBG funding for Mary and Alvin Banks for the mobile home replacement contract with Ironwood Homes of Perry, plus up to $500 for change orders if necessary, and additional funds for the CDBG mortgage recording.
Bid Approval:
At the January 21, 2020 meeting, the Board approved the application for mobile home replacement for Mary Thomas, 633/645 Ridge Road, subject to environmental clearance and final verifications. We are now ready to proceed. Anticipating potential CDBG projects that were not specifically identified in October 2019, a generic 3 bedroom 2 bathroom mobile home replacement was included in the second CDBG mobile home bid package. We received bids from 3 vendors. Titan Factory Direct/Champion Homes submitted a bid that is considerably higher than the other 2 vendors, Clayton Homes of Panama City and Ironwood Homes of Perry. Mrs. Thomas selected the Ironwood home priced at $70,835.50.
Requested Action: Approve CDBG funding for Mary Thomas for the mobile home replacement contract of $70,835.50, plus up to $500 for change orders if required.
Bid Approval:
At the January 21, 2020 meeting, the Board approved getting resubmittals of proposals for Kathy Hill’s mobile home replacement, 773 Buck Street, not to exceed $80,000. Ironwood Homes of Perry submitted a proposal for a home that meets specifications in the amount of $75,393, including demolition of the existing home, tree removal if required, and higher elevation for the floodplain. Clayton Homes of Panama City submitted a proposal for a comparable product, for $83,200. Ms. Hill is agreeing to the Ironwood Homes proposal, which is just $393 more than the County’s normal $75,000 limit. We are still trying to determine whether septic system work will be required, which is not included in the proposals.
Requested Action: Approve $75,393 in CDBG funding for Kathy Hill’s mobile home replacement contract, plus up to $500 for change orders if required, and funds for the CDBG mortgage recording.
Clerk of Courts – Marcia M. Johnson – Report
RESTORE Coordinator – Alan Pierce – Report
Action Item
The pathway to get on the FHWA eligibility list came from the meeting that Commissioner Boldt and I attended in Rep. Shoaf’s office back in December.
Information Items
A) At the last meeting I reported the County Emergency Management Office received a form from FEMA for the county to sign agreeing to the Hazard Mitigation proposal for Alligator Drive, and the proposal had an error in it regarding the sheetpile. The FEMA form listed the materials to be used as only vinyl for the vertical seawalls, when the plans developed by the county show steel sheetpile on the south side of the road. As I informed the Board I did not sign the form and sent FEMA staff an email explaining the reason. On Monday, Feb. 10, I met with FEMA staff at the county EOC and they acknowledged that FEMA had made the error. On Friday, Feb. 14, I reviewed a revised form and did authorize the County EM Office to sign the form, which now includes steel sheet pile on the south side of the Alligator Drive. The revised form increased the estimated cost of the Mitigation to $2.5M, and increase of some $800K over the initial FEMA estimate.
B) I also received notification that the State of Florida was “obligating” PW 228 for some $2.6M worth of repairs to Alligator Drive. PW 228 is the PW from Hurricane Hermine that I thought we were “de-obligating.” The issue was clarified on Monday, Feb, 10, when the state informed me that they use the term “obligating” for any action that changes funds. In this case the state was obligating a version of PW 228 that actually de-obligates the funds. The summary of the situation is that the county and the state are on the same page in rolling the $2.6M of Hurricane Hermine funds into a future Hurricane Michael PW. I am telling the Board this because I had made an incomplete report to APTA at their Saturday meeting, so hopefully this full story will get back to Alligator Point.
Just like with other CDBG programs I believe it is going to be in the county’s best interest to hire a CDBG grant writer and administrator. While Ms. Belcher has been utilized by the county on many occasions, because this is a special CDBG program if the county wants to utilize a grant writer and administrator it will need to advertise and select one specifically for CDBG DR programs. Board discussion.
At this time DEO did not think the state would be reserving any minimum amount for each county, so Franklin County would be competing against projects in other hurricane impacted counties, such as Bay and Gulf. Further, whatever the county applies for must have some connection to damage associated with Hurricane Michael, and must serve some portion of low and moderate income households. Commissioner Jones asked about applying to build a new EOC, and the answer was EOCs were not an eligible expense.
County Coordinator – Michael Morón – Report
Action Items
Request: Board action to postpone the deadline for bid submissions for the Road Department’s new administrative building to Monday, April 6, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. (ET).
Request: Board discussion and possible action on a request to Denton Cove for the light poles and scoreboard at the Apalachicola High School fields.
Request: Board discussion and possible action to authorize the required survey at a cost of $12,000 that will be paid from professional services budget.
Request: Board action to authorize the Chairman’s signature on FDOT’s Beautification Grant Memorandum of Agreement.
Request: Board action to change the SHIP program’s policy that would require the county inspector or building official to do the final inspection on all SHIP projects.
Request: Board discussion and direction on a meeting date.
Request: Board discussion and possible action directing Attorney Shuler to start the ordinance process for a change to the hours of sale of alcoholic beverages.
Request: Board action to authorize the Chairman’s signature on the Rural Area of Opportunity designation resolution.
Information Items
County Attorney – Michael Shuler – Report
Commissioners’ Comments
Adjournment
The Board of County Commissioners asks that all cell phones are turned off or placed on silent (vibrate) mode. Any handouts (information) for distribution to the Commission must be submitted to the Board Secretary (Clerk’s Office) or to the County Coordinator on or before the Thursday prior to that Tuesday’s meeting. Failure to do so will result in your removal from the agenda or a delay of any action relating to your request until a future meeting.