REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 9, 1993 The Board of County Commissioners, Walton County, Florida met in regular session on Tuesday, November 9, 1993, at 8:30 A.M., in the Commission Boardroom of the Walton County Courthouse. The following Board members were present: Chairman Sam Pridgen, Vice- Chairman Gordon Porter, Commissioner Charles C. Harris, Commissioner Johnnie Moore, and Commissioner Rosier E. Cuchens, Jr. The Board's Administrative Supervisor, Mr. Ronnie E. Bell, and the County's Attorney, Mr. George R. Miller, were also present. Chairman Pridgen called the meeting to order followed by praying the Lord's Prayer and pledging allegiance to the American Flag. Motion by Vice-Chairman Porter, second by Commissioner Moore, to approve the consent agenda which consists of the following items: 1. Approve minutes of October 25, and 26, 1993 2. Approve bills for payment 3. Approve the recommendation of the West Florida Regional Planning Council as follows: a. submittal of a HOME application, in the amount of $250,000.00, to the Florida Housing Finance Agency to further expand the County's affordable housing preservation program through rehabilitation of homeowner-occupied housing units. b. authorize the Chairman to execute the Certification page of the application and any other related documents required for submission of the application. The non-refundable application fee is $350.00. c. authorize the Chairman to execute an agreement with the West Florida Regional Planning Council to administer and implement the HOME Program, if funds are awarded. 4. Approve 1994 Holidays 5. Approve pay raises for Allen Vestal, Woody Via, Allen Brown, and Elvis Brown 6. Approve the annual reports from the Tax Collector and Property Appraiser 7. Accept warranty deed from Glen Chesser 8. Reappoint Charles Harris to serve on the Tri-County Community Council Board 9. Adopt a resolution proclaiming December as Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month 10. Grant the Chairman authority to sign the needed paperwork at the closing of the recently purchased forty acres located off Highway 2.
2 Ayes 3, Nayes 0. Moore Aye, Porter Aye, Pridgen Aye. Commissioners Cuchens and Harris stepped out. Mr. Malcolm Patterson, Director of the South Walton Tourist Development Council, appeared before the Board and introduced Mr. J. C. Cole as the South Walton Conservation and Trust's recommendation for the new Executive Director. Motion by Vice-Chairman Porter, second by Commissioner Cuchens, to accept Cell #1 for usage and maintenance at the Landfill and release the remainder of the monies due to Carlan Consulting Group, Inc. The monies total approximately $52,000.00. Ayes 5, Nayes 0. Cuchens Aye, Moore Aye, Porter Aye, Harris Aye, Pridgen Aye. Motion by Commissioner Cuchens, second by Vice-Chairman Porter, to uphold the recommendation of the Grievance Committee to terminate Glory Ann Brown from employment with Walton County due to violating county policy. Ayes 5, Nayes 0. Cuchens Aye, Moore Aye, Porter Aye, Harris Aye, Pridgen Aye. Motion by Commissioner Harris, second by Commissioner Cuchens, to approve the structural changes to Walton Regional Hospital's ambulance bay to accommodate for handicap access. Ayes 5, Nayes 0. Cuchens Aye, Moore Aye, Porter Aye, Harris Aye, Pridgen Aye. Motion by Vice-Chairman Porter, second by Commissioner Cuchens, to distribute the Volunteer Fire and Fire Board funds as follows: $9,597.83 to each of the twelve Walton County Volunteer Fire Departments and $5,160.00 to the Walton County Fire Board. This amount represents the budgeted amount less the Board approved carry overs from fiscal year 1992-93. Ayes 5, Nayes 0. Cuchens Aye, Moore Aye, Porter Aye, Harris Aye, Pridgen Aye. Chairman Pridgen called to order the advertised public hearing regarding an Idle Speed-No Wake restricted area adjacent to McDaniel's Fish Camp, Black Creek Lodge, and County Road 3280. Chairman Pridgen waived the reading of the published notice. At the request of the Marine Patrol, Commissioner Cuchens made the motion, second by Commissioner Harris, to adopt an ordinance establishing an Idle Speed-No Wake restricted area adjacent to McDaniel's Fish Camp, Black Creek Lodge, and County Road 3280. Boating improvement funds will be utilized to purchase the signs. Ayes 5, Nayes 0. Cuchens Aye, Moore Aye, Porter Aye, Harris Aye, Pridgen Aye. Ms. Ann Holland, Walton County school bus driver, appeared before the
3 Board to discuss campaigns to collect funds to purchase two-way radios for all 70 Walton County school busses. The cost for the radios is approximately $45,000.00. The Board agrees that the busses need radios for communication. Mr. Mike Barker, Public Safety Director, is working with Ms. Holland to apply for any grants that may be available. Ms. Francis Harrell appeared before the Board to voice her concerns with the employment practices of the District 1 Commissioner. Ms. Harrell mailed a certified letter to the Commissioners withdrawing her request for an abandonment of that portion of her property located on Rushing Road. Mr. Miller, County Attorney, stated that he went and looked at the road and it appears to have been graded for a number of years. Ms. Harrell stated that no trespassing signs have been placed on the road where her property lies. Commissioner Harris stated that the road is a county maintained road and unless the County Attorney states otherwise, Rushing Road will be maintained by District 1. Ms. Harrell stated that the road was not county owned. Chairman Pridgen called to order the advertised public hearing continuing the petition of Mainsail for the abandonment of the following described property: Old Highway 98 East abutting the Northern boundary of Mainsail Condominiums which is located in the Northeast corner of Section 33, Township 2 South, Range 21 West, Walton County. The roadway begins at the Northeast corner of Gulf Street and heads East 175' to the entrance into Mainsail Condominiums. Mr. Allan Ramey, attorney representing Mrs. Beatrice Pentel, suggested that a reverter clause be inserted with the resolution if the abandonment is granted. Mr. Bob Webster, General Manager of Mainsail, had no problems with the reverter clause. Motion by Commissioner Cuchens, second by Vice-Chairman Porter, to grant Mainsail's petition for abandonment of the above described property with the stipulation that if a gate or entrance way is installed on the Gulf Street side, the abandoned property will revert back to the County. Ayes 5, Nayes 0. Cuchens Aye, Moore Aye, Porter Aye, Harris Aye, Pridgen Aye. Motion by Commissioner Cuchens, second by Commissioner Moore, to grant Mr. Robert Wilson's request to advertise for a public hearing to vacate a twenty foot alleyway located in District 5. Ayes 5, Nayes 0. Cuchens Aye, Moore Aye, Porter Aye, Harris Aye, Pridgen Aye. Motion by Commissioner Cuchens, second by Vice-Chairman Porter, to
4 grant Mr. John Martin's request to abandon the following described property: That portion of South Water Street lying directly North of Block 39 and Block 37, according to the record plat of the Town of Santa Rosa as recorded in Plat Book 2, Page 61, of the public records of Walton County, Florida. Ayes 5, Nayes 0. Cuchens Aye, Moore Aye, Porter Aye, Harris Aye, Pridgen Aye. Chairman Pridgen called to order the continued public hearing for Mr. Don Mall's petition for the abandonment of the following described property: The East and West 17 Feet of County Road S-30A leg D beginning at the North end 20 feet from the right-of-way of C-30A and traveling South a distance of 96 feet. Mr. Mall stated that the property will be used for parking. The additional parking is needed due to the lack of parking spaces required by county regulations. Mrs. Shirl Williams, Assistant Administrator Supervisor, suggested that the number of required parking spaces be reduced; therefore, the property can remain county owned and still be utilized by the public. Motion by Vice-Chairman Porter, second by Commissioner Cuchens, to deny Mr. Don Mall's request to abandon the above described property. Ayes 5, Nayes 0. Cuchens Aye, Moore Aye, Porter Aye, Harris Aye, Pridgen Aye. Mr. Paul Gentry, scheduled on the agenda, did not appear. Vice-Chairman Porter stated that the Board allowed him to occasionally repair Mr. Joe Langley's driveway. Mr. Langley is confined to a wheel chair. Mr. Langley sold his property to Jana Holland. Mrs. Holland has placed a gate at the entrance of the driveway and request continued maintenance of the driveway. The Board agreed that Mr. Porter should not continue maintenance on the driveway. The Board discussed paving the parking lot at the old Tivoli Gym. Mr. Joe Maioriello appeared before the Board to read a letter of gratitude to Commissioner Cuchens for repairing Forrest Drive located in South Walton County. Mr. Bell opened bids received for a 4-door sedan to be utilized by the building department. The bids were as follows: Triangle Chevrolet Buick Olds NO BID Walton Dodge $16,838.90 Tommy Thomas Chevrolet $13,298.74 Orville Beckford Ford $13,600.00
5 Chairman Pridgen closed the bid opening. After Commissioner Cuchens inquired of the situation with John V. Smith Water Company, Mr. Bell stated that Mr. Miller had prepared a letter regarding the matter. Commissioner Cuchens asked about the progress made on a utility franchise. Mr. Bell stated that Robert Sheets, with David M. Griffith and Associates, will be meeting on November 30, 1993 at 1:00 P.M., to discuss the matter. The Board discussed C & D Landfills. Motion by Vice-Chairman Porter, second by Commissioner Cuchens, to place a moratorium on C & D Landfills in Walton County for a period of one year or otherwise decided by the Board of Commissioners. The Board feels this matter requires emergency action. Ayes 5, Nayes 0. Cuchens Aye, Moore Aye, Porter Aye, Harris Aye, Pridgen Aye. Motion by Commissioner Cuchens, second by Vice-Chairman Porter, to place a moratorium on salvage and junk yards for a period of one year or otherwise decided by the Board of Commissioners. Ayes 5, Nayes 0. Cuchens Aye, Moore Aye, Porter Aye, Harris Aye, Pridgen Aye. Chairman Pridgen adjourned the Meeting until 1:00 P.M. Chairman Pridgen called the meeting back to order. Mr. Mike Chesser, Attorney representing Mr. Claude and Mrs. Betty Jones, appeared before the Board to present their case of common law vesting. After lengthy discussion and testimony from witnesses and members of the audience, Commissioner Cuchens made the motion, second by Vice-Chairman Porter, to deny the petition of common law vesting based on the lack of competent substantial evidence presented by the petitioners of Blue Mountain Beach Resort. Ayes 5, Nayes 0. Cuchens Aye, Moore Aye, Porter Aye, Harris Aye, Pridgen Aye. There being no further businesses, Chairman Pridgen adjourned the meeting. APPROVED: Sam Pridgen, Chairman ATTEST: Catherine King, Clerk
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