DPno, I 7 7nrimvl 2000 rag 1~. r GflutA SAL ' A LOCALLY OWNED NEWSPAPER The Franklin Chronicle Franklin Briefs December 21, 1999 By Barbara Revell Attending: Clarence Williams, Chairman; Bevin Putnal, Jimmy Mosconis, Cheryl Sanders, Com- missioners; Kendall Wade, Clerk; Amelia Varnes, Deputy Clerk; Alfred Shuler, County Attorney. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Williams at 9:00 am. The minutes of the previous meet- ing were approved as was pay- ment of current bills. Franklin County/ University of Florida Extension Mr. Bill Mahan stated he has re- ceived information from the De- partment of Environmental Pro- tection regarding the Clean Ma- rina Program. He said the Coor- dinator of the program told him that they would do a program in Franklin County if the County could get a group together, Mahan also stated he also has received some new information on the Florida Clean Vessel Act Grant Program. He said that program makes grants available for up to 75% of the cost of installing pump-out facilities at a marina. Superintendent of Public Works Mr. Prentice Crum did not have a report but thanked Commission- ers Kendall Wade and Amelia Varnes for all of their years of as- sistance and kind words in a reso- lution written for him. He also said his official retirement date is January 31, 2000. Public Works Director/ Job Applications Mr. Alan Pierce said four applica- tions were submitted but that Van Johnson withdrew his applica- tion. The other applicants were. Granville Crooms, Don Wilson and Hubert Chipman. Pierce stated that Chipman was the only qualified applicant. Mr. Chipman was hired at a starting salary of $33,900. McIntyre Road Ms. Elizabeth Tucker who resides on McIntyre Road in the eastern section of the County complained about the terrible condition of the road. Mr. Crumii tatd Hliat' he would attempt to resolve the prob- lem that day. Director of Ariministrative Services Mr. Alan Pierce presented pic- tures he took on December 9, 1999, of a dilapidated house on Alligator Point being removed. Pierce presented the Board with a copy of a letter from DEP con- gratulating the County on the re- duction in turtle hatchling disorientation. Pierce gave the Board a copy of a news release he received from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Con- servation Commission revising its approach to the Spotted Sea Trout rules and discussing closing the season in November/December and February. Pierce said he thinks the Commission will schedule a public hearing in Franklin County to make the fi- nal division. Pierce then gave the Board a let- ter from Devin Creamer request- ing the County build a skateboard park. Pierce said he needed the Board to act on a request from the Envi- ronmental Corporation of America to place a monitoring well below grade within the County right-of- \ way on David Street in Eastpoint. The monitoring well is a require- ment of DEP for a permit for an EZ serve store. The Board ap- proved contingent on a "hold harmless" agreement. Pierce reported that the United States Census has asked ,the SCounty if they would spend $150 for brochures about the Census count. He said the brochure would be distributed through the schools. Commissioners ap- proved. Pierce presented the annual con- Stract between the County and ARPC to conduct the Hazard Waste Assessment. The contract is $2000, which is paid from a' Grant. Pierce advised the Board [ that ARPC provides the service to ; the County on a regular basis. Mosconis wanted to know if any- body in the County could do the assessment. Pierce said he had checked into this once before and could not find anyone but said he would check again. * Pierce said that Mr. Ben Watkins that several roads be opened on North Bayshore Drive so that he could access his property. The roads are Pine Street, Palm Street, Cedar Street and Live Oak Street. The Commissioners authorized the opening of these streets. * Watkins also requested the Board consider rezoning approxi- mately 382 acres owned by Rob- ert G. Holt, Trustee Eastpoint Timber Company and 144 acres owned by Apalachicola Manage- ment, Inc. and J. Ben WVatkins in Eastpoint. Watkins said that with the rezoning they would work with Eastpoint Water and Sewer to obtain property needed for expran- sion. It was agreed that a public hearing would be advertised to consider the rezoning. * Pierce reported that he met with Mr. Tim Edmond, President, St. Joe/Arvida to discuss two items the Board had directed him to dis- cuss. Pierce said that the re- sponses were as follows: 1. St. Joe/Arvida is willing to consider working with the county in creat- ing a public right-of-way from Lanark Village to Lake Morality Road or CR 67 if it is in the right place. Pierce said that Edmonds requested the Board designate on a map the preferred route and send it to him. Commissioner Sanders stated she would like to look at the sites with Mr. Pierce before a final decision is made. Pierce agreed to meet her and then send a letter to St. Joe/ Arvida. 2. Arvida is willing to con- sider selling 100 acres of land on State Road 65 for public use. Pierce said he suggested buying only 45 acres. Pierce asked the Commissioners to think about it and discuss further at a future meeting. 3. As partial payment for work on the Eastpoint Boat Ramp, the County had given a deed to the Harris Brothers for two acres of land that Mr. Curt Allen says he owns. The Harris Brothers de- cided they would like to give the two acres back to the County and obtain equal amount of land from St. Joe, who has land adjacent to the Harris Brothers to the south and west. Pierce recommended to the Board that they consider pur- chasing an eight-acre parcel that. would square a St. Joe's property boundary. The Board authorized Pierce and the County Attorney to begin the process of resolving -the matter and pursue the eight acres from St. Joe/Arvida. 4. Edmonds wants a right of way map for the new industrial road at the airport because the new road will access a 120-acre par- cel 'of land that St. Joe/Arvida owns. Pierce said he told Edmonds it is possible the County would consider some zoning changes if it would create jobs. * The Board authorized payment of $1500 to the Harris Brothers for money they spent having the contested two-acre parcel sur- veyed. * Pierce reported that the Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Commission recommended the following ac- tion: Approval for construction of a private dock for Paul Hawker on Highway 98 in Lanark Village; approval for a site plan for two industrial sites on Otter Slide Road: Tim Termarsch to con- struct two 5,000-square-foot buildings on a five-acre parcel and John Collins to construct a 5,000 square-foot -buildingoni another five-acre parcel. The Board ap- proved these matters and agreed to schedule a public hearing on the rezoning of lots 24-30, Block 6 west, Unit 1, SGI, for Tom and Mary Baird from C-2, general business, to C-4, commercial mixed-use. *' Pierce presented the County with a map provided by the Wa- ter Management District to reflect ownership of property in Franklin County. * Pierce reported that Ms. Nita Molsbee brought in an appraisal on the Amerigas property in Lanark Village. Pierce said the appraisal reflects a value, of $4,000. Pierce requested direction from the Board as to what to do next. The Board directed Pierce to work with the County Attorney and offer Amerigas $4,000 for the property. * Commissioner Sanders asked Pierce about the status of the signs for the Girls Softball League Championship. Pierce replied that he was still waiting for the coach's decision on the wording of the sign Sanders requested Pierce contact the coaches and tell them that the County was going to erect the signs. Pierce said he would contact the coaches. *Commissioner Sanders noted with pride that the site prepara- tion has begun at the Department of Corrections prison site in Carrabelle. * Sanders also wanted to know if the Couny was ready for any pos- sible Y2K problems. Pierce re- sponded by saying the Emergency Management Office and crew will be open for business New Year's Eve and that extra law enforce- ment will be on duty. Sanders suggested the public be informed of this through public service an- nouncements. Clerk of the Court Clerk Kendall Wade said if the Board wants him to continue as County representative to the Apalachee Regional Planning Council he needed to be re-ap- pointed. The Board did re-appoint Wade. Putnal noted that since Mr. Fred Massey, who was appointed in November, has resigned from the Carrabelle City Commission someone else needs to be recom- mended by the City of Carrabelle. Wade stated he would contact the City of Carrabelle. County Attorney * County Attorney Alfred Shuler said he sent a letter to the office of the American Disability Act (ADA) informing them that the Courthouse is now ADA compli- ant with the exception of hearing assisted devices. Works Prentice Crum requested approval from the Board to hire an entry level person. Board approved. Solid Waste Director Mr. Van Johnson just returned from vacation and he. had no report. Director of Administrative Services * Mr. Alan Pierce gave the Board a copy of the legal description and survey for the 25.93 acres the Board has given to the school board. County Attorney Shuler reported that School Board Attor- ney Barbara Sanders will prepare the deed and Shuler will check it. * Shuler also said he had a tele- phone conference with Sheriff Varnes concerning the four- wheeler problem. Shuler stated that Varnes recognizes it is a problem and is willing to work with the Board in an attempt to alleviate the problem. Shuler re- ported that Sheriff Varnes thinks an Ordinance would probably be helpful. Shuler requested direc- tion from the Board to work on an ordinance. Board so directed. Commissioner Putnal suggested that Shuler check with other counties to see what they are do- ing about the problem of four- wheelers. Commissioner Mos- conis noted he had observed four-wheelers on the newly con- structed United States Corp of Engineers (USCOE) spoil site on Highway 98. Mosconis asked Wade if he had talked to USCOE about it. Wade said he had. Wade said that USCOE thinks that not much would be done and that if the County erected signs the four- wheelers would simply run over them. Mosconis requested that. the ordinance include something to address this. * Shuler read a letter he had pre- pared for the board regarding the Tourist Development Tax for Franklin County. Commissioner Sanders asked what if one district in the County did not want the tax. Shuler said the Board decid- ing how the County would be di- vided into districts could do it. Mr. Jack DuPriest, owner of two mo- tels in the Carrabelle area, said he was against the tax since it would not benefit him. Commis-' sioner Mosconis and Clerk Wade said they felt the tax could have a negative impact on their fishing lodge businesses. The Board de- cided to table the discussion un- til January 4, 2000. * Shuler reported he received 'a letter from an inmate at the Franklin County Jail about how' gain time was calculated. Shuler said he wrote a letter to the in- mate informing him that the' Franklin County Sheriffs Depart- ment was the only authority to calculate gain time. Shuler explained a letter the Com- missioners received from the School Board about their allo- cated share of Racetrack Funds. Shuler said he had researched this and prepared a letter to the Commissioners explaining that the summary of a 1976 Special. Act of the Legislature dividing the revenue between the School Board and the Franklin County Commission does not refer to the bond issue. Shuler further said that if this is the act which con- trols these funds, the School Board would continue to receive the same share of the funds without any action by the Commissioners. Commissioner. Mosconis said he. has lear ed that the covpty can use some of the Landfill Escrow Funds and that the State has fi- " nally agreed to let the County use several hundred thousand dol- lars. Mosconis said he will follow up on this with the Finance Of- ficer, Ms. Williams. Franklin Briefs January 4, 2000 By Barbara Revell Attending: Commissioners Clarence Williams, Chairman,: Eddie. Creamer, Cheryl Sanders, Bevin Putnal, Jimmy Mosconis, Clerk of the Court, Kendall Wade, Deputy Clerk Amelia Varnes and County Attorney Alfred O. Shuler. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Williams at 9: 00 a.m. The minutes from the previ- ous meeting were approved as was payment of the bills. Rezoning Request A public hearing was held regard- ing the rezoning request submit- ted by Mr. Sammy Thompson. The Board approved Thompson's re- quest to rezone 3.95 acres on Bluff Road in Apalachicola from R-2 (single family mobile homes to R-4 (mobile home industry). Thompson wants to build mini-warehouses. There was no objection from the public and the Board approved. Franklin County/ University of Florida Extension Office Mr. Bill Mahan is on vacation. Superintendent of Public I * The Department of Environmen- tal Protection asked Pierce to an- nounce that there will be a meet- ing held by the Division of Recre- ation and Parks to receive public comment regarding the manage- ment and land uses for Bald Point prior to the development of a man- agement plan. The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 4, 2000, 7:00 p.m. at the Alliga- tor Point Fire House, Alligator Point. * Pierce informed the Board that the County is eligible for a flood mitigation program whereby the County will get up to 75% of the cost of buying out waterfront properties that have been repeti- tively damaged by flood waters. Pierce stated, "If the County par- ticipates it would be buying prop- erty that is usually waterfront and permanently taking it off the tax roles. Traditionally the County Shas not participated in buy-out programs." No action was taken. * Pierce requested Board action on signing required agreements with the Gulf Coast Workforce Development Board. The Board tabled this matter until Pierce could present more information to the Board. * Chairman Williams interrupted the meeting to inform people at- tending the public hearing con- cerning the Tourist Development Council had been cancelled. Mosconis said, "Mr. Chairman, I see we have a number of inter- ,ested parties here... I don't think the Board has heard their side arid maybe while they're here... I .think it would be fair to them, to get a little input from them while they are here." Williams decided to come back to it. Pierce continued reminding the Board that the contract with 'ARPC needed, to be renewed be- "cause there was no one else in- terested in doing the study. ARPC charge is $2000. The Board approved. * Pierce then reminded the Board that interested members need to get with the Planning Office to look at what the County is going to seek from St. Joe Develop- ment/Arvida in the Carrabelle/ Lanark area. * Mosconis requested more infor- mation from Clerk Wade regard- ing a meeting in Blountstown on January 11, 2000. Wade informed the Board that there will he P statewide meeting of all the area regional planning councils for open discussion o problems. The Department of Community Affairs will also have representatives at the meeting. Wade encouraged everyone to attend. The Board appointed Alan Pierce to represent the Board at the meeting. Clerk of the Court, Mr: Kefiddall Wade had nothing else to bring up before the Board. County Attorney * Mr. Alfred Shuler reported that .he is working on the four-wheeler ordinance * Shuler also reported that a land- owner attempted to sell a lot in Apalachicola and discovered that it had been foreclosed for taxes in 1945. The landowners re- quested assistance in obtaining a clear title to the property. Shuler suggested the Board accept $50 for back taxes from the landowner to remove the foreclosure. Tourist Development Council Discussion A lengthy discussion ensued be- tween some innkeepers, Chamber of Commerce Director Anita Gre- gory and some of the Commis- sioners regarding the proposed 2% tourist tax. The innkeepers protested not be- ing consulted from the beginning. Ms. Gregory requested the Com- missioners appoint a board to explore the situation further and to include innkeepers on the Board to broaden the discussion. Gregory explained that the study the Chamber has been involved in was a preliminary study so they could decide whether to ask the Commissioners to explore the matter further. The committee does feel that further exploration by the County is warranted. GARLIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATES, Inc. S SERVING FLORIDA'S COASTAL AREA ;.,: j Offices in Apalachicola, Panama City and Tallahassee SPECIALIZING IN ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATORY ISSUES INCLUDING: Wetlands regulatory permitting and development feasibility assessments; Environmental site assessments and audits; SMarine construction including marinas, I; piers and shoreline protection 48 AVENUE D P.O. 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Coastline Equipment offered a total bid of $174,889 with a front loader for $87,331, one backhoe at a bid of $54,887 and the sec- ond at $61,671. There was no separate amount for warranty and they bid $29,000 for the used equipment. The commissioners decided to have Prentice Crum and Commissioner Van Johnson look over the two bids and bring a recommendation to a special meeting. The commissioners turned down an offer from Cora Russ for two lots at 8th Street and Avenue F. Pierce said, "I don't want to sell any city property at this time" Commissioners told Ms. Russ that If the occasion arose the city would probably have to advertise for bids and a public hearing. Shaun Donahoe, acting as agent for Ms. Christine Rhodes, asked for discussion on a piece of prop- erty owned by Ms. Rhodes which had been used In the past as a funeral parlor, with a designation of non-conforming, but had not lately been used in that way. Donahoe told commissioners that Isaac Miller and his wife were will- ing to reopen it on a lease from Ms. Rhodes. After discussion the commission- ers voted to have it put on the agenda for the special meeting and Betty Taylor-Webb send out notices to the adjoining neigh- bors. Ella Mosconis of Baskerville and Donovan brought commissioners up to date on several projects and also asked for a special meeting to discuss water rates. She said that the city had already received a grant of $2.5 million for a waste water project and $2 million for a water project. She said that Baskerville and Donovan had also completed the grant application for another grant of $2.5 from the Department of Environmental Protection. Pierce then brought up the sub- ject of a Cemetery Sexton, He said that at present David Kelley had filled in after the previous person had retired but he might have conflict of interest due to his fu- neral parlor business. Pierce ex- pressed the idea that he would like to have Earl Creamer take over that duty, He said that due to change of circumstances, two of Creamer's previous duties were no longer needed, such as clean- ing the library and the Oddfellows Hall. He suggested no change in pay scale. Johnson suggested that Creamer supply a list of his remaining du- ties in order that they might be, fair in paying him for the work done, also saying the Item could be reconsidered at the next regu- lar meeting. City Attorney Pat Floyd gave his report on ongoing litigation on the suit brought by the Tietz family over pollution from the city's waste water treatment plant. He said it was still in litigation at Cir- cuit Court. He said a number of years have gone by and there was a necessity to have an advanced wastewater treatment plant in- stalled to correct the deficiencies. "We are moving on this," he said. He notified the commissioners of the letter giving the intent of the Apalachicola Bay and River- keepers to sue the city for viola- tions. This statement brought forth some angry remarks from the Mayor. He said. "I am disap- pointed that a local group would take us to court. They didn't have the courtesy to attend a meeting. I find that very inappropriate." Commissioner Elliott said, "They are hurting the environment rather than helping." He added maybe the Riverkeepers can come up with the millions needed." Commissioner Davis said, "A law suit is a burden on the citizens." Elliott agreed, saying, "They will hurt the people of the community.': Under Other Business: The Mayor said that he and other commissioners were receiving complaints from residents about Police Chief Andy Williams work- ing a second job at the Piggly Wig- gly, He said he needed the extra money to keep up with his fam- ily. After discussion the commis- sioners approved him keeping the after work Job saying as long as the City got 40 hours they could not govern his off duty time. What was a fairly sedate city meeting broke out into some not so fond memories of a New Years Party thrown by the owners of the Rancho Motel in Apalachicola, Mary Lou Rogers and her hus- band mark. And more problems for the Chief. Ms Rogers said she felt "targeted" when the Chief came by to tell them to lower the decibels on the band they had playing. Ms. Rogers said that she had been planning the Millen- nium Party for many months and so was most unhappy when the chief allegedly told her that if the music was not quieted down somebody was going to be arrested. Continued on Page 9 I