Town of Brooker Regular Monthly Council Meeting July1",2023  Present:  Steve Acree, Gene Melvin, Joe Tolleson, Chris Caldwell, John Maines (attended  virtually), Suzanne McRee, Charlene Thomas  Community: Eryn Russell (League of Cities), Diane Andrews (County Commissioner), Lynn Melvin  (BCSD Board Member) Carol Mosely (Bradford Telegraph), Jack and Trudy Kennedy  (EMT Affordable Lawn Care), Terry Thomas  Absent:  Linda Bennett  Meeting called to order by Gene Melvin, Mayor. Meeting start time: 7:00 p.m.  Pledge of Allegiance  Amotion was made by Steve Acree to approve the June 13th Public Hearing minutes as presented. Amotion was made by Joe Tolleson to approve the June 13th meeting minutes as presented.  Seconded by Chris Caldwell, Motion passed. Seconded by Steve Acree, Motion passed.  First Order of Business - Opening of Sealed Bids for Grounds Maintenance Contract- - John  Maines  Two (2) bids were received in response to the Invitation to Bid for the Grounds Maintenance a. Bid #I from EMT Affordable Lawn Care for the total amount of $12,200.00, separated into two (2) bids, representing separate mowing periods as follows:  Contract, both determined to be responsive.  Bid #I  $1,100.00 per month X7months $7,700.00  Bid #2  $900.00 per month X5months $4,500.00  TOTAL FOR THE YEAR $12,200.00  b. Bid #2 from A.J J. Lawn Service for the total amount of$14,600.00, separated into two (2) bids, representing separate mowing periods as follows:  Bid #I  $1,300.00 per month X7 months $9,100.00  Bid #2 $1,100.00 per month  X5months $5,500.00  TOTAL FOR THE YEAR $14,600.00  Amotion was made by Steve Acree to accept the bid submitted by EMT Affordable Lawn Care in the amount of $12,200.00. Seconded by Joe Tolleson, Motion passed. The bid is for  two (2) years. The Clerk will notify the bidders formally of the decision. Presentation of 2023 Mayor John Land Years of Service Awards - League of Cities Ms. Eryn Russell with the Florida League of Cities presented Mayor Gene Melvin with this award for his forty-five (45) years of service. Mayor Melvin highlighted the Town's successes;  1    specifically citing balanced budgets, strong audits, and the recent re-paving of21 streets. He attributed his successful tenure to a strong support team and mentors through city the  (im Temple). Attorney - John Maines: Nothing new to report. Fire Department - Joe Tolleson: Nothing newi to report. Town Clerk Report - Suzanne McRee:  years  I. The past due report was passed out. Still out $477.27i in overdue accounts with three 2. The Clerk reminded council members of the 2023 requirement to complete four hours of Ethics Training, deadline of December 2023. Handouts were provided (4) 3. The double gate at the water works building was installed and barbed wire fixed with a couple of "arms" that were damaged. The invoice provided was for an additional along $50.00 as they replaced the existing IO' gate with a 12' gate which required them to move the pole, incurring additional labor cost. Invoiced for $1,245.00 rather than estimated amount of $1,195.00. Need a motion and second to approve payment oft the the new amount, utilizing ARPA funds. Steve Acree made a motion to approve the payment of$1,245.00, utilizing ARPA funds. Seconded by Chris Caldwell. Motion 4. Bernard received notification from Utility Services that they will be out the water tower soon which will require it to be out of service for painting three cleaning Bernard will let us know when this is scheduled, and this will require a Boil Water (3) weeks. Notice to bei in effect and notification to the Town's residents. 5. Anew pump to facilitate the chlorine amounts is needed. The cost to the town is estimated to be $724.00. Joe Tolleson made a motion to approve the purchase oft the pump for $724.00. Seconded by Steve. Acree, Motion passed. 6. Itwas discovered that the construction crew at Bragg Branch has tapped into water stubs (without meters) and are using water without having established accounts the existing installation of meters. The Clerk has attempted contact with the owner of the (e-mail and voicemail) however has had no response. Locks have been put on all property three 7. The Clerk contacted Robbie Worrell Construction at 352-538-3599 regarding the broken sidewalk at the Combee residence, The driver said the sidewalk was already damaged except for a small piece that broke off. The owner was 8. Lead & Copper testing (triennial) has been completed and the samples turned into the lab, we: are waiting on the results then will forward to DEP. I0. The Clerk spoke to. Jason Dodds regarding the installation of the newly purchased Radar Speed signs. He will try to have someone out during the week of7/18/23. II. Vince Robinson provided an update on the door replacement for the Well Building, planning to finish that today. Old Park City Building repairs are underway and plans for  accounts locked for non-payment. One (I) remains locked.  (3) with  instructions.  passed. and  or  (3)s sites by Terry Thomas.  to going speak  to the  driver and follow up with the Town. 9. CCR's were mailed out with the] July bills.  2    painting the interior of the Community Center are tentatively planned for 12.7 The Town received a "thank you" card from Jim Bryant's family following the Town's  2023.  September  bereavement donation.  Bookkeeper - Charlene Thomas:  . Went over Revenue and Expenditures for the month of June 2023. 2. Mrs. Thomas is currently working on the budget. Copies of 2022/23 council tol look over and make changes before the August 8, 2023, budget The the Council needs to decide whether to Roll-Back taxes this year. Amotion was meeting. made by Tolleson to Roll-Back taxes for this year. Seconded by Chris Caldwell, Motion Joe The first Public Hearing on Taxes and Budget will be September 12th 'at 7:00 passed. 3. Mrs. Thomas suggested the Council consider a $25.00 per month increase for p.m. the reader position, raising the salary from $225.00 to $250.00 per month, int the new meter budget. Chris Caldwell made a motion to raise the monthly salary for the meter reader from $225.00 to $250.00 per month for the meter reader, effective October 2023. 4. Mrs. Thomas also suggested the Council consider a yearly 3% raise for the Town's employees (Town Clerk and Bookkeeper) for the upcoming budget. This will assist with retention of staff as well as cost of living for staff. Chris Caldwell made a motion to provide for a yearly 3% raise for the Town's employees, effective October 5. Ab box ofr new ceiling tiles for the community center has been purchased. Vince Robinson has agreed to replace tiles that have water damage when they paint the inside oft the 6. The front double doors oft the community center need to be replaced. Vince will; give a price for replacement and installation ofar new: set of doors. 7. On June 29th, Brooker homeowner Joe Favre showed up at Mrs. Thomas' residence to advise that hel had found his back door broken into and a water hose from David Prescott's residence to his. (His residence is beside David Prescott's). He was advised to call the Bradford County Sheriff's Office, which he did. Mr. Favre's meter is has been locked since 2017 with a meter reading of 1913070. His meter was read off and June 30th and the current meter reading is 1995390, indicating over water usage. It was also observed that the valve ears had been cut offt 82,320 the gallons of someone to "steal" water. Attorney Maines was contacted and advised Mrs. meter, allowing follow up with Bradford County Sheriffs Office, which she did and case # has Thomas been to assigned. The meter has since been removed and a street stop valve will bei installed before the meter is re-installed so that it can be locked in the future, ifneeded.  for  Seconded by Steve Acree, Motion passed.  1,  Seconded by Steve. Acree, Motion passed. building. The cost oft the tiles was $43.98.  1,2023.  Robinson  on  Water Department- - Gene Melvin:  Mayor Melvin reiterated the need to ensure all notification to the town's residents and DEP  are made with relation to the water tower clean-out.  Sanitation = Chris Caldwell: Nothing new to report. Road/Streets - Joe Tolleson:  3    Mayor Melvin reported the paving project is proceeding as scheduled. There have been a few issues that have come up, however thei inspection services company, SAIC Consulting  Engineers, has addressed them quickly and efficiently.  Recreation/Parks - Linda Bennett (absent): Nothing new to report. Ground Maintenance/Mowing = Steve Acree:  Mowing is taking place as scheduled; however, note that the grass is growing the rain. Steve Acree confirmed that the current contract ends  quickly with all and 31,2023, the new  July  contractor willl begin August 2023. Community Center Building = Mayor Melvin: Community Center is being rented regularly.  Town Council:  Mayor Melvin acknowledged this meeting as Clerk Suzanne McRee's last need to fill the vacant position. Mayor Melvin suggested the creation ofa a meeting, committee to the council informed of potential applicants and follow-up, recommending Steve. Linda Bennett, and Charlene Thomas as committee members. The Council indicated Acree,  with a keep  agreement. Old Business: .A ARPA Expenditures  The Clerk provided the Council with an updated expenditure document, advising a remaining funds balance of$12,165.14. This balance does include several amounts that  have been appropriated; however not) yet expended.  New Business:  I.A Annual Review of Water Rates  The current/2022 Resolution provided for the Council's review. The current water rate is$24.00 per month for 0-3000 gallons of usage, $1.75 for each 1000 gallons of over that. Historically the water rate has increased by $1.00 yearly. This will be usage on the  agenda for decision at the August 2023 meeting.  Checks approved: General Fund: 8106-8129  Water Fund: 5898-5912  Amotion was made by Steve Acree to approve the bills. Seconded by Chris Caldwell, Motion  passed.  Gene Melvin made a motion to adjourn. Time: 8:09 p.m. dB2Egna E. (Gene) Melvin, Mayor  Cecil  Chuien Shonp Charlene Thomas, Acting Town Clerk  4