The Board of County Commissioners, Walton County, Florida, met in. regular session on Tuesday, March 26, 1996, at 8:30 A.M., in the Commission

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1 REGULAR MEETING MARCH 26, 1996 The Board of County Commissioners, Walton County, Florida, met in regular session on Tuesday, March 26, 1996, at 8:30 A.M., in the Commission Boardroom of the Walton County Courthouse. The following Board members were present: Chairman Gordon Porter, Vice-Chairman Sam Pridgen, Commissioner Charles C. Harris, Commissioner Gerald Wilkerson and Commissioner Rosier E. Cuchens, Jr. The Board's Administrative Supervisor, Ronnie E. Bell, and the County's Attorney, George R. Miller, were also present. Chairman Porter called the meeting to order followed by praying the Lord's Prayer and pledging allegiance to the American Flag. Motion by Commissioner Cuchens, second by Commissioner Wilkerson, to approve the consent agenda consisting of the following items: 1. Approve Minutes of March 11, 12 and 21, Approve bills for payment 3. Approve to transfer David Chandler and Charles Knight to full-time with the Maintenance Department 4. Approve low bidder, Skyline Steel, for pilings on Long Creek Bridge located in District 3 in the amount of $5, Approve to fund $1,000 to enable the Humane Society to construct a thrift shop building. 6. Approve payment to Coggins Insurance Company to renew insurance policies for to the Mossy Head/Oakwood Hills Volunteer Fire Department in the amount of $6, Approve request to fund Shontale Johnson, DCT Student, to work at the Rural Economic and Community Development Agency through the summer at a cost of $2, Approve payment of bills from Hot Mix Transports for DSR's due to Hurricane Opal for road repair in the amounts of $5,435.28, $15, and $3, Approve an increase in Edward Teal's salary to $9.00 per hour. Jim Keeler, District 1 Road Foreman, presented a presentation on equipment marketing and purchasing for county equipment. Motion by Commissioner Harris, second by Vice-Chairman Pridgen, to accept the highest bid prices for the following county equipment: D5-BCC 790 bid price $64,400 from Utraco Plaint & Machinery D2-BCC1185 bid price $85,500 from Progressive Tractor Co. D4-BCC1327 bid price $96,000 from West Texas Paving D1-BCC1898 bid price $122,500 from Progressive Tractor Co.

2 2 Ronnie Bell, County Administrator, stated that WMXZ radio station would like to build a site at the Portland tower and have a media center set up at the EOC Building. WMXZ is the strongest radio station servicing Walton County at this time. Chairman Porter called to order the advertised Public Hearing to consider a petition to abandon the following described property: The southerly 13 feet of the northerly 16.5 feet of government lot 117, Section 30, Township 2 South, Range 21 West, Walton County, Florida and the southerly 13 feet of the northerly feet of government lot 118, Section 30, Township 2 South, Range 21 West, Walton County, Florida. Mr. Jim Barth, Attorney representing petitioners, did not appear but requested that the Public Hearing be continued once again. Several residents of the area voiced their objection to the abandonment as well as the continuous delay of a decision. Attorney Miller stated that a law suit has been filed to have the fence removed from the easement. Chairman Porter stepped down and made the motion to deny the request for abandonment of the above described property. Commissioner Harris seconded the motion. Ayes 5, Nayes 0. Cuchens Aye, Wilkerson Aye, Pridgen Aye, Harris Aye, Porter Lisa Moore, scheduled on the Agenda, did not appear. Marilyn Coe, Director of the Walton-DeFuniak Library, stated that Ms. Moore was scheduled to present the design of the interior of the new Freeport Library to be located west of Highway 331 and north of Highway 20. Mickey Whitaker appeared before the Board to receive determination of suitable use of property located in LaGrange Bayou. The property is proposed to be used for a wood working shop. The Board does not feel the purposed use of the property is suitable for the surrounding area. William Schissler presented a petition for abandonment. The Board looked at the property requested to be abandoned. The Board agreed that a certified survey needs to be obtained on the property. This item was tabled until April 9, 1996, at 8:45 A.M. Vance Bryan appeared before the Board to request that Power Line Road be accepted for county maintenance. The Board advised Mr. Bryan that the

3 3 road must be paved in order for the county to accept maintenance. The Board agreed to table this matter until Attorney Miller can review the deed and Judge Remington's order on the boundaries of the road. Ed Monreau appeared before the Board to present a resolution stating that the Board is in support of obtaining a certificate of need to construct an Emergency Medical Center in South Walton County. Attorney Miller wished to review the contract with Healthmark. R.C. Page presented a petition to the State Land Division of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for a road right-of-way traversing a portion of land owned by the State of Florida which is East Point Washington Road, a dirt road approximately 1.7 miles in length, with a one lane wooden bridge which crosses an environmentally sensitive creek and wetland area. This road is the only access into a rapidly developing area. sign the petition as prepared by Mr. Page. Ayes 5, Nayes 0. Cuchens Aye, Wilkerson Aye, Pridgen Aye, Harris Aye, Porter Symeon McKnight appeared before the Board to discuss the condition of Holiday Road due to semi truck traffic on the road. Shari Judkins presented photographs of numerous semi trucks parked on Holiday Road and the "No Semi Trucks" signs located on the road. The truck traffic is created by Emerald Coast Motor Sports and the new seafood market business located on Holiday Road. Mrs. Judkins suggested that the Board adopt an ordinance which would enforce the "No Semi Trucks" signs. The Board directed Attorney Miller to prepare an emergency ordinance relating to the size of trucks allowed on Holiday Road and present at the next Board Meeting. The Board recessed for ten minutes. Rita Folsom appeared before the Board to request a Public Hearing date to a small-scale amendment to the Comprehensive Plan to rezone a portion of property located adjacent to Elmo's Landing on Highway 331 north from Rural Village to an appropriate zoning to allow mini warehouses. This plan must go before the Planning Commission first. Motion by Commissioner Cuchens, second by Commissioner Wilkerson, to advertise for a Public Hearing to be held on May 28, 1996, at 5:30 P.M., to consider a small-scale amendment to the Comprehensive Plan. Ayes 5, Nayes 0. Cuchens Aye, Wilkerson Aye, Pridgen Aye, Harris Aye, Porter Suzanne Kolter appeared before the Board to discuss the issue with her neighbor erecting poles within the easement on Bell Mar Drive. Attorney

4 4 Miller and the Board agreed that this is a civil matter. Attorney Miller stated that the Board of Commissioners has no legal authority over a private dispute. Mary Byrd, representing Sea Highlands Subdivision, appeared before the Board to discuss the pavilion which was constructed at the end of Andalusia Street. Mrs. Byrd and the surrounding homeowners want the pavilion removed. Commissioner Cuchens stated that he is not in favor of removing the pavilion at this time. Shirley Ward, Executive Director of the Walton County ARC, appeared before the Board to request assistance in clearing the acreage of land on the corner of Walton Road and Highway 83 North. Mrs. Ward stated that this property will be the home site for a group home and other facilities for the developmentally disabled population of Walton County. Motion by Commissioner Harris, second by Commissioner Wilkerson, to supply the assistance needed. adopt an emergency ordinance stating that all trucks, three axles or larger, are prohibited from Old Jolly Bay Road in Walton County, Florida. Ayes 5, Nayes 0. Cuchens Aye, Wilkerson Aye, Pridgen Aye, Harris Aye, Porter Motion by Commissioner Wilkerson, second by Commissioner Harris, to accept a right-of-entry agreement from Evie Fayard to allow District 1 to clear a drainage ditch on Church Street. Ayes 5, Nayes 0. Cuchens Aye, Wilkerson Aye, Pridgen Aye, Harris Aye, Porter Motion by Commissioner Cuchens, second by Commissioner Harris, to waive the bid procedure and purchase a 1997 F150 regular cab truck from Gary Smith Ford for the state contract price of $14, and a 1996 F250 crew cab truck for $26, for District 5. Ayes 5, Nayes 0. Cuchens Aye, Wilkerson Aye, Pridgen Aye, Harris Aye, Porter Motion by Commissioner Cuchens, second by Commissioner Harris, to reject the bid received for the District 5 motor grader from Donald Cloer in the amount of $2,200. Ayes 5, Nayes 0. Cuchens Aye, Wilkerson Aye, Pridgen Aye, Harris Aye, Porter The Board agreed to forward the bids received for the property located in South Walton County, parcels (A) and (B), to Dewey Wilson with Regional Utilities. The Board will then consider the recommendation from Mr. Wilson as to whom to award the bid.

5 5 Motion by Commissioner Harris, second by Commissioner Cuchens, to reaffirm a phone poll to settle the W.C. Bartlett case for $20,000. Ayes 5, Nayes 0. Cuchens Aye, Wilkerson Aye, Pridgen Aye, Harris Aye, Porter Motion by Commissioner Cuchens, second by Commissioner Harris, to adopt a resolution relating to State owned property on Blue Mountain Road which Commissioner Cuchens is interested. Ayes 5, Nayes 0. Cuchens Aye, Wilkerson Aye, Pridgen Aye, Harris Aye, Porter adopt an emergency ordinance amending the Life Safety Code to exempt indoor stairwells from the 42 inch requirement and allow 36 inch stairwells. Ayes 5, Nayes 0. Cuchens Aye, Wilkerson Aye, Pridgen Aye, Harris Aye, Porter Shirl Williams, Assistant Administrative Supervisor, advised that Mr. Blizzard, owner of the clay pit on High Lonesome Road, has not yet applied for a development order. Motion by Vice-Chairman Pridgen, second by Commissioner Cuchens, to schedule a Public Hearing to consider a request for abandonment by Floy Proctor. The Hearing will be scheduled on for April 30, 1996, at 1:00 P.M. Mrs. Williams presented the recommendations from the SHIP Committee regarding the Housing Assistance Plan. approve the recommendation of the SHIP Committee by leaving the re-hab cap at $20,000. Ayes 5, Nayes 0. Cuchens Aye, Wilkerson Aye, Pridgen Aye, Harris Aye, Porter Motion by Commissioner Harris, second by commissioner Wilkerson, to approve the recommendation of the SHIP Committee that will allow the first time home buyer program to be extended to the incorporated areas since we are not using all the money allocated for this program. Ayes 5, Nayes 0. Cuchens Aye, Wilkerson Aye, Pridgen Aye, Harris Aye, Porter Motion by Commissioner Harris, second by Vice-Chairman Pridgen, to approve the recommendation of the SHIP Committee to amend the budget as follows: Housing Re-Hab $110,000 Council on Aging $ 25,000 Tri-County $ 25,000 Farmer's Home $ 40,000 First Time Home Buyer $ 20,000 Habitat for Humanity $ 5,000

6 6 Mrs. Williams advised that an appeal was filed on Dr. Ignasiak's case. The meeting will be on April 25, 1996, at 6:00 P.M., at the TDC Office. Motion by Commissioner Wilkerson, second by Commissioner Harris, to amend the personnel policies to no longer allow a contract labor employee who becomes full-time to receive annual and sick leave hours from date of original hire. An employee will begin accruing annual and sick leave benefits at the time that they are hired full-time. Ayes 5, Nayes 0. Cuchens Aye, Wilkerson Aye, Pridgen Aye, Harris Aye, Porter Motion by Commissioner Wilkerson, second by Commissioner Harris, to transfer Greg Smith from District 3 to County Wide to operate the paint striping machine on a ninety day probationary period. Each thirty days of the probationary period Wilbur Williams and Ronnie Hudson is to provide an evaluation report on Mr. Smith's performance. Mr. Hudson is to provide an evaluation report on Mr. Williams' performance as well. Ayes 5, Nayes 0. Cuchens Aye, Wilkerson Aye, Pridgen Aye, Harris Aye, Porter The Board agreed to require a progress report on the number and names of roads that are stripped each month. The report is to come before the Board at the first Workshop each month. Chairman Porter advised that Dewey Wilson has a John Deere Tractor for sell in the amount of $16,000. John McCormick, representing Surfside Owners Association, appeared before the Board to discuss two fatalities which occurred when two elderly residents attempted to cross Old Highway 98 in front of Surfside Condominium around sunset. Mr. McCormick stated that the County did install speed limit signs, but never painted pedestrian crosswalk stripes. Commissioner Cuchens stated that he would take care of the matter. Mr. McCormick stated that Surfside Owners Association will build, at their own expense, a wooden fence in front of Surfside similar to the one now installed on the south side of Old Highway 98, paralleling Avalon's beach frontage to help prevent damage to the recently restored Old Highway 98 road shoulders and dunes. There being no further business, Chairman Porter adjourned the meeting. APPROVED:

7 7 Gordon Porter, Chairman ATTEST: Catherine King, Clerk