Community Update
A Report on the Activities of Alachua County Government
This Issues Features:
Fire Assessment Workshop & Meetings
The Cotton Club Museum & Cultural Center
What’s On “Alachua County Talks”
Karen Deeter Retires
Spring Conference Grant & Workshop
Free Mulch
Removal Of Petroleum Contamination From Depot Park Site
Firefighters Train at AGH
CodeRED High Speed Notification System
Neighborhood Stabilization Program Meeting
RSVP Pancake Breakfast
Supervisor of Elections Scholarship Opportunity
Upcoming Cooperative Extension Programs
Special Commission Meeting: Bed Tax
Commission Meeting Highlights
Fire Assessment Workshop & Meetings
The Alachua County Board of County Commissioners is hosting an informational workshop for church officials, and two Special Commission Meetings to discuss the proposed implementation of an Enhanced Fire Assessment. Representatives from Government Services Group, Inc. (the consultant hired to develop the Enhanced Fire Assessment Program) will present information about the program and answer questions.
The church officials workshop is on March 3, 2010 at the Mount Carmel Baptist Church Fellowship Hall (2505 N.E. 8th Avenue, Gainesville), from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
The two Special Commission Meetings are on March 16, 2010 and March 30, 2010 both at 1:30 p.m. in the Boardroom (room 209 of the County Administration Building, 12 SE 1st Street, downtown Gainesville). All interested parties are encouraged to attend these Special Meetings.
The Enhanced Fire Assessment would replace the MSTU-Fire Millage as the primary funding source for Fire Protection Services. If implemented, the Enhanced Fire Assessment would affect the Unincorporated Area of Alachua County. The Cities of Alachua, Archer, Hawthorne, and Waldo are participating in the study and may choose to implement the Enhanced Fire Assessment within their municipalities.
In a letter about the upcoming workshop, Alachua County Board of County Commissioners Chair, Cynthia Moore Chestnut wrote, “The Alachua County Board of County Commissioners feels strongly about the need to diversify funding sources. There is a critical need for the Enhanced Fire Assessment in order to sustain fire protection services in our community.”
To view the complete letter from Chair Chestnut, click here.
For more information, contact the Department of Public Safety at 352-384-3130.
The Cotton Club Museum & Cultural Center
Tonight, Friday February 26, 2010 at 7 p.m. on Community 12 TV, Alachua County presents “The Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center”. This 30 minute program explores the history of the Alachua County segregation-era black music venue located in Gainesville’s Springhill neighborhood, and offers an in depth look at ongoing efforts to refurbish the building as an area black history museum and cultural center.
The program traces the Cotton Club building from its beginnings as a PX store at Camp Blanding in Starke, Florida during World War II to its post war years as a movie theater for African Americans, to its memorable run as a concert hall hosting world famous musicians including Ray Charles, B.B.. King, James Brown and more. Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center board Chair Vivian Filer and co-chair Otis Stover are interviewed, as are former Alachua County Commissioner and Cotton Club patron Thomas Coward and University of Florida Director of the Powell Center for Construction and Environment Director Dr. Charles Kibbert, and many other people involved in the project.
This special program will replace County Update for the month of February. It will air at 7 p.m. every night but Thursday and at 7 a.m. and midnight every day (all showings may be preempted by special or regular meetings, or other programming).
To view The Cotton Club Museum & Cultural Center immediately on Video on Demand, click here.
For more information, call the Alachua County Communications Office at 352-374-5226.
What’s On “Alachua County Talks”
Check out the latest editions of Alachua County Talks on Community 12 TV by viewing the Channel 12 Show Schedule.
Click here to watch Maggie Labarta, President and CEO of Meridian Behavior Healthcare, Inc., give an overview of the institution and its long history of providing mental illness and addiction treatment in Alachua and surrounding counties.
Click here to watch Neil Seldman, President of the Institute for Local Self Reliance , give an overview of Resouce Recovery Parks and the benefits of potentially locating a resource recovery park in Alachua County.
Karen Deeter began her career with Alachua County on Dec. 15, 1980 as the director of the “Alachua County Refugee Program”. The program provided social, educational, and employment opportunities to refugees from Vietnam, Cambodia, Ethiopia and Poland.
In July of 1985, Karen changed careers to take over the County’s new mandatory curbside collection program, which was paid for by a non-ad valorem assessment. Over the years, her office also managed other non-ad assessments as they were put into place.
In 1993 she was elected President of the Florida Sunshine Chapter of the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA), and served a two year term. In addition past elected positions with the chapter included secretary, treasurer and vice-president. She was awarded “Outstanding Contribution” and “Professional Achievement Award” for her work with the chapter.
On August 9, 2004 Karen began in acting capacity as the Assistant Public Works Director/Waste Management. She was formally promoted in to the position on 2/14/2005. Karen wrote a self assessment on her application when applying for the position of Assistant Public Works Director/Waste Management, “I am skilled at facilitation of tasks through teamwork, by building on the strengths & minimizing the weaknesses of fellow team members, coworkers and employees. I am compassionate and empathetic, but also professionally objective.” A statement Public Works Director Rick Hedrick has said to be very true.
Karen has had many accomplishments in the solid waste field. She worked with County and City of Gainesville solid waste staff to provide a seamless curbside collection program in the City and County. Karen helped develop the County and City to develop the only volume-based (or pay-as-you-throw) cart system in Florida. The now familiar orange and blue recycling bins were piloted and implemented by Karen, resulting in an increased recycling rate. She worked consistently with the Heart of Florida Solid Waste Working Group to not only network and share information, but to become a voice at the state level. Karen also coordinated with County and City solid waste staff to develop the joint solid waste plan adopted by both the County and the City commissions.
Thank you for a job well done. Best wishes on all your future endeavors.
Spring Conference Grant & Workshop
The Alachua County Visitors and Convention Bureau (VisitGainesville), the official tourism marketing organization for Alachua County, is offering their 2010 Spring Conference Grant Program to qualified meeting planners who conduct their meetings or conferences in Gainesville/Alachua County. Individual grants of up to $10,000 are available to corporate, association, or non-profit, public or privately funded planners. Up to $75,000 in total grant funding is available during the spring cycle. To assist meeting and conference planners interested in applying, VisitGainesville is conducting a Spring Conference Grant Workshop Thursday, March 4, 2010 at 10 a.m. at the Alachua County�s Community Treasures Conference Room located in the County Administration Building located at 12 SE 1st Street, downtown Gainesville.
“The workshop is the perfect forum to learn details about the grant program and to make the application process easier and more accurate,” said Nancy Fischer, CMP, VisitGainesville’s Director of Sales, “Though not required to attend, it can be very helpful for a meeting planner to understand the entire grant process.”
To qualify, meeting professionals must complete the grant application, which is available on-line at www.visitgainesville.com/grants. Applicants must meet a number of criteria including confirmation of the number of hotel room nights their conference produced, or expect to produce, in Gainesville/Alachua County between July 1, 2010 and Sept. 30, 2013.
Applications must be submitted to the VisitGainesville office located at 30 East University Avenue in Downtown Gainesville during the official grant cycle, which opens Monday, March 1, 2010 and closes on Thursday, March 30 at 4 p.m. The VisitGainesville offices are open Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The County’s Tourist Development Council (TDC) will review all qualified applications in April, with funding awards announced at the May TDC meeting.
For additional information, planners may contact Nancy Fischer (e-mail: nfischer@visitgainesville.com or John Pricher (jop@visitgainesville.com) at the Gainesville VCB at 352-374-5260 or toll-free at 866-778-5002.
The Waste Management Division of Alachua County Public Works, invites citizens to pick up free mulch at the Leveda Brown Environmental Park and Transfer Station (5115 NE 63rd Avenue, Gainesville, just past the Airport Industrial Park off of Waldo Road). The Environmental Park is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday, and 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays.
There are several sizes of screened mulch available, ranging from less than 1 inch to 3 inches. Citizens are invited to bring vehicles and shovels, but are reminded that supplies are limited.
“This material is really nice and perfect for use for mulch or a soil amendment,” says Sally Palmi, Waste Alternatives Manager.
For more information call the Waste Management division at 352-374-5213.
Removal Of Petroleum Contamination From Depot Park Site
The Alachua County Environmental Protection Department’s (ACEPD) Petroleum Management program is overseeing a major clean-up project to remove contaminated soils at the Poole Roofing portion of the City of Gainesville’s Depot Park clean-up project off of SW Depot Road and S. Main Street.
The Poole Roofing site was the former location of a coal gas manufacturing plant from the early 1900’s until 1959, when natural gas became available. The site was dismantled in 1961 and remained an operations center for Gainesville Gas Co. until 1969, when it was sold to Poole Roofing and Sheet Metal. Historical coal tar processing and other industrial activities at the site resulted in the soils and groundwater becoming contaminated with petroleum products and coal tar.
Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU) has assumed responsibility for cleaning up the coal tar contamination on the former Gainesville Gas Co. site. ACEPD has a contract with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to manage petroleum cleanup sites in Alachua County. Because the petroleum contamination is mixed with coal tar contamination, funding for the Poole Roofing excavation is being provided 73% by the FDEP and 27% by GRU.
ACEPD petroleum staff have significant responsibility to ensure that FDEP clean-up technical and monetary reporting standards are being observed by contractors working for GRU. ACEPD reviews all technical reports and approves payment of invoices on behalf of
FDEP. The estimated amount of soil to be excavated from the Poole Roofing portion of the Depot Park remediation site is approximately 15,000 tons and for the entire Depot Park project approximately 100,000 tons. On some days, as many as 50 truckloads of soil are removed from the site. FDEP’s estimated cost share for the Poole Roofing cleanup is about $3 Million.
For more information regarding this project, contact Prasad Kuchibhotla at (352) 264-6807 or Tim Ramsey at (352) 264-6843.
Alachua County General Hospital, which has saved lives for decades, allowed it’s building to be used to train firefighters and enhance their skills in responding to high rise fires. This opportunity to train for emergency situations in a controlled environment could save additional lives in the future.
Alachua County Department of Public Safety (ACDPS) personnel were able to utilize the vacated Alachua General Hospital to practice emergency window evacuations and response and mitigation to a high rise fire.
Although Alachua County is not teeming with skyscrapers, there are several buildings in Alachua County over 3 stories high which firefighters may respond to, need to safely evacuate and extinguish a fire. This presents unique challenges and dangers to firefighters and ACDPS wanted to capitalize on the use of AGH to practice skills which may not be used on a daily basis.
Only through training can firefighters enhance their skills and increase their knowledge for delivering a high level of service during an emergency.
CodeRED High Speed Notification System
Alachua County Emergency Management recently acquired the CodeRED high speed notification system. CodeRED will provide Alachua County officials the ability to quickly deliver messages to targeted areas or the entire County.
David Donnelly, Alachua County Emergency Management Chief, cautions that such systems are only as good as the telephone number database supporting them. “If your phone number is not in the database, you will not be called.” One of the features that the CodeRED system has is the ability for individuals and businesses to add their own phone numbers directly into the system’s database.
“No one should automatically assume his or her phone number is included,” Donnelly said urging all individuals and businesses to visit the Community Notification Enrollment webpage and include their information. Those without Internet access or have questions, may call Alachua County Emergency Management at 352-264-6500, Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. to supply their information over the phone. Required information includes first and last name, street address (physical address, no P.O. boxes), city, state, zip code, and primary phone number, additional phone numbers can be entered as well.
All businesses should register, as well as all individuals who have unlisted phone numbers, who have changed their phone number or address within the past year, and those who use a cellular phone or VoIP phone as their primary number.
Donnelly explained, “CodeRED allows geographically based delivery, which means street addresses are required to ensure emergency notification calls are received by the proper individuals in a given situation. The system works for cell phones too, but we need to have an associated street address to provide relevant messages.”
Donnelly stated that, “CodeRED gives those who want to be included an easy and secure method for inputting information. The data collected will only be used for emergency notification purposes.”
For more information about CodeRED, click here.
For more information, contact Alachua County Emergency Management at 352-264-6500.
Neighborhood Stabilization Program Meeting
The Alachua County Housing Programs Office is conducting an informational meeting for Lenders and Real Estate Professionals to kick off the Alachua County Neighborhood Stabilization Program, (NSP). The meeting will be held at the Alachua County Cooperative Extension Office (2800 NE 39th Avenue, Gainesville), on February 26, 2010 from 10 a.m. to Noon.
NSP is funded by the State of Florida Department of Community Affairs the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and was established for the purpose of stabilizing communities that have suffered from foreclosures and abandonment. This program provides Alachua County $2.9 million dollars to acquire bank owned foreclosed properties in specific zip codes in Alachua County. After the homes are purchased, they will be rehabilitated and then offered for resale to potential homebuyers with incomes up to 120% of Area median Income.
“The Neighborhood Stabilization Program funding provides Alachua County with an opportunity to both stabilize communities that have been adversely impacted by foreclosures, and to allow prospective homebuyers to purchase homes that are energy efficient and in good repair,” commented Tom Webster, Housing Programs Manager.
For more information, contact Tom Webster, Alachua County Housing Programs Manager at 352-374-5249.
The public is invited to join the Retired and Senior Volunteer (RSVP) Advisory Council on March 20, 2010, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., for its Annual Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser at Gator’s Dockside Restaurant (3842 Newberry Road, Gainesville).
Tickets cost $6.00 and includes pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, and orange juice, milk or coffee. All proceeds from the ticket sales go to support RSVP.
The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Alachua County matches persons ages 55+ that have time to share their skills, knowledge, and talents, with opportunities for volunteering. RSVP has partnerships established with over seventy non-profit, government, and health care agencies where people can volunteer to make positive impacts to communities. RSVP is an excellent way to put into action what is important to you.
To view the event flyer, click here.
For more information about the breakfast, or tickets, contact Shirley Gonzalez at 352-514-9950 or sgonzalez@donorcare.org.
For more information about RSVP, click here, or call 352-264-6732.
Supervisor of Elections Scholarship Opportunity
Pam Carpenter, Supervisor of Elections announces the opportunity for local college or university students to apply for a $1,200 scholarship through the Florida State Association of Supervisors of Elections.
FSASE will award three $1,200.00 scholarships. The deadline to submit applications to the Alachua County Supervisor of Elections is March 19, 2010.
The scholarships will be awarded to full-time students attending an accredited Florida university or college.
Applicants must be enrolled or accepted as a junior or senior and be either a Political Science major, Public or Business Administration major or Journalism/Mass Communications major.
Applicants must:
Applications may be obtained online at VoteAlachua.com or from the Alachua County Supervisor of Elections Office at 111 SE 1st Avenue, Gainesville. Completed applications and letters of recommendation must be submitted to the Supervisor of Election of the County in which you are registered to vote.
All Alachua County applications will be reviewed by the Supervisor of Elections Office and one finalist will be forwarded to the FSASE Scholarship Committee to represent Alachua County. The FSASE Scholarship Committee will select three winners ($1,200 each) from the finalists submitted from Supervisors of Elections throughout the State of Florida.
The scholarship is awarded in June; therefore applicants must be a student post-June of the award year.
For additional information contact the Alachua County Supervisor of Elections at 352-374-5252.
Upcoming Cooperative Extension Programs
For more information, including location, cost and program details, click on the link that follows each brief description.
March 3rd, Green Industries Best Management Practices 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This workshop is designed to provide training in Best Management Practices for anyone working in the lawn, landscape, pest control, or municipal grounds areas. This is a required training class for all commercial and institutional fertilizer applicators in Alachua County according to the Alachua County Fertilizer Standards and Management Practices Code.
For detailed information about this program, click here.
March 3rd, Vegetable Gardening Basics 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Topics to be covered include choosing the right vegetable varieties and plant times for vegetable garden success. Attendees will also learn site planning, maintenance and harvesting tips.
For detailed information about this program, click here.
March 4th, ID Card Holder Training 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
This training is ONLY required for identification cardholders spraying under a licensed pest control operator.
For detailed information about this program, click here.
March 4th Vegetable and Melon Growers Meeting 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
This meeting is for commercial growers.
For detailed information about this program, click here.
March 8th, Fertilizer Alternatives 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
This workshop is an educational program for Pasture Managers.
Topics include:
For detailed information about this program, click here.
March 9th, Equine Management Workshop begins at 5:30 p.m.
The workshop is being hosted by both the Alachua County Cooperative Extension Office and Seminole Feed. This partnership will bring you the following topics on three informative evenings at the University of Florida Horse Teaching Unit (directions listed below):
For detailed information about this program, click here.
March 9th, Slow Cooker Class 5:30p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Basic techniques will be demonstrated and recipes will be available.
For detailed information about this program, click here.
Special Commission Meeting: Bed Tax
On Tuesday March 2, 2010 there will be a Special Meeting of the Alachua County Commission to consider the ordinances to impose 4th percent and 5th percent Tourist Development Taxes. Visitors to Alachua County pay this tax, commonly known as the Bed Tax, as a tax on their accommodations. The meeting is at 5 p.m. in the Jack Durrance Auditorium (room 209) in the Alachua County Administration Building located at 12 SE 2nd Street Downtown Gainesville.
To view the agenda for this meeting and links to related documents, click here.
For more information, contact the Alachua County Visitors and Convention Center (Visit Gainesville) at 374-5231.
Announcements
Announcements by Mark Sexton, Communications Coordinator
Attachment: Announcements
University of Florida and Shands Haitian Relief Efforts Day
The Board proclaimed February 23, 2010 as “University of Florida and Shands Haitian Relief Efforts Day” in Alachua County, Florida.
Attachment: Dr Moser Haiti.pdf
Community Support Services Week
The Board proclaimed March 1st - 5th, 2010 as “Community Support Services Week” in Alachua County, Florida.
Attachment: Community Support Services Week1.pdf
Purchasing Month
The Board proclaimed March 2010 as “Purchasing Month” in Alachua County, Florida.
Attachment: Purchasing Month 2010 (V1).pdf
Spay Day
The Board proclaimed Tuesday, February 23, 2010 as “Spay Day” in Alachua County, Florida.
Attachment: Spay Day 2.pdf
Census Awareness Month
The Board proclaimed March 2010 as Census Awareness Month in Alachua County.
Attachment: Cenus_2010.pdf
America Saves Week
The Board proclaimed “America Saves Week” for February 21-28, 2010 in Alachua County, Florida.
Attachment: America Saves Week.pdf
Women’s History Month
The Board proclaimed March 2010 as “Women’s History Month” in Alachua County, Florida
Attachment: WomensHistoryMonth 2010.pdf
Alachua County Extension Advisory Committee
The Board heard a presentation/Annual Report from the Alachua County Extension Advisory Committee.
Attachment: Alachua County Extension BOCC Presentation 2010.ppt
North Florida Evaluation and Treatment Center
The Board heard a presentation by Dr. Kish of the North Florida Evaluation and Treatment Center and authorized the Chair to send letter to the Alachua County legislative delegation opposing any privatization efforts and identfy the impact NFETC has on local economy
Attachment: Dr. Kish presentation.ppt
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
The Board heard a report on the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) for a wind shutter retrofit for the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office Administration and CCC/EOC building.
Gainesville Regional Utilities Rebate Check
The County Manager invited Facilities Manager Charlie R. Jackson and his staff to present Chair Chestnut a check from Gainesville Regional Utilities for $35,000 in energy savings. The Board directed staff to develop a dedicated financial account into which utility savings from conservation & efficiency enhancements to County facilities shall be sequestered. These funds will be reinvested in conservation enhancements through each year’s capital improvement program. Staff will report back to the BoCC with the details of the program before proceeding. Fiscal year 2007-08 utility totals will be the base line year for estimating the savings.
Capital Improvement Program
The Board approved the creation of an Interlocal Agreement and approved the budget to amend Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for the Sheriff’s Office Admin building project and the CCC/EOC building upgrade.
Amount: $31,410.00
Attachment: Contract.pdf
Attachment: Added CIP Project ACSO HQ and CCC Shutters.pdf
Attachment: SheriffResolution.pdf
Attachment: ACSO Shutter Grant Interlocal Final.pdf
Attachment: budgetamendment.pdf
Attachment: HMGPResolution2010.pdf
Attachment: CIP_Project_ACSO.pdf
NW 16th Ave/NW 23rd Ave
Concerning the NW 16th Ave/NW 23rd Ave Resurfacing Project update, the Board:
Direct Staff to implement the proposed Action Plan
Bring results back to BCC prior to developing 30% complete design
Explore cost and feasibility of maximizing the existing sidewalk pavement and tree wells
Refer Mr. Turlington’s option to staff to review - dedicated left turn for strip mall and develop the recommended 30 percent design
Report to the BoCC for 30 percent design approval
Attachment: NW 16th BOCC shortened 02_05_10.pdf
Attachment: Public Workshop Summary 01_25_10.pdf
Attachment: NW 16th Action Plan 01_29_10.pdf
Lake Forest Creek Krugman-Kadi
The Board authorized staff to seek extensions of the Option Contract to purchase the Lake Forest Creek Krugman-Kadi tract; and, in the event that the corridor to Chestnut/Butler Park cannot be developed, authorize staff to allow the Option to lapse at the end of the term of the Option.
Attachment: Exhibit 2 Lake Forest Creek Assessment.pdf
Attachment: Exhibit 3 Management Costs.pdf
Attachment: Exhibit 4 Option_Krugman.pdf
Attachment: Exhibit 5 Eastside AC Community Facilities.pdf
Attachment: Exhibit 1 Krugman Kadi Evaluation.pdf
Attachment: Exhibit 6 Location Map.pdf
RTS Funding
The Board approved support of RTS’s request to apply for 5311 funding for FY08/09 and FY09/10 and provide a letter of support signed by the Chair. This letter will provide support for two years of the funding which are on hold but with the condition that each year thereafter, RTS will need to seek support from the BoCC for application for the 5311 funding.
Attachment: RTS5311 Request to the BoCC.ppt
Attachment: Ltr_RTS_ GrantFunding.pdf
Non-ad Valorem Assessment
The Board adopted Resolutions of Notice of Intent to Use Uniform Method to Impose Non-ad Valorem Assessment and authorized the Chair to sign resolutions for:
District 1: Country Club Estates and Country Club Manor District
Prairie Bluff and Social Square. - Do not adopt Resolutions of Notice of Intent: District
Fairway Estates.
Attachment: Resident_Comments.pdf
Attachment: res fairway estates.pdf
Attachment: Board_GGCC_SAD_presentation-first_public_hearing_comp.pptx
Attachment: res country club.pdf
Attachment: res prairie bluff.pdf
NW/SW 91st Street
The Board approved the NW/SW 91st Street 90 percent plans as presented and direct staff to finalize the plans and proceed with the bid phase.
Attachment: 91stStreetPresentation022310.ppt
Attachment: 91stStreetPlans.pdf
Alachua County Advisory Boards
The Alachua County Commission is committed to citizen involvement on its advisory boards and is soliciting applications for the following vacancies:
Get Involved - Click here for an application: http://www.alachuacounty.us/government/bocc/advisoryboard.aspx
Applications are also available at the County Manager’s Office on the Second Floor of the County Administration Building, 12 SE 1st St., Gainesville. For more information, call (352) 264-6904.
Thank you for your continued interest in County Government!
Community Update is produced by the County Manager's Communications Office.