Workshop City Hall  BOCC and Town of Cross City Council 99 SE210 Ave, Cross City, F132628 January 17,2024 - 5:00 PM  The Board meetings are audio recorded. The public can hear and participate in the meeting via conference call  by dialing 1(9177900-1022 and enter code. 32628. COMMISSIONERS Mark Hatch, Commissioner District3 3 David Osteen, Commissioner District 5  STAFF  Paul Gainey, Acting Assignment County Manager Martha McCaskill, Acting Assignment County Manager and Administrative Asst/Grant Coordinator Chana Watson, County Attorney Leon Wright, Building and Zoning Official Barbie Higginbotham, Clerk ofCourt Della Rhymes, Asst. Chief Deputy Clerk Joannie Morse, Deputy Clerk TOWN COUNCIL John Driggers Jr., City Manager Ryan Fulford, Town Council Member Seat 3 Kirk Merhefka, Town Council Member Seat 1 Jamey King, Police Chief William Garner, City Fire Chief George Edmonds, City Utilities Supervisor Katrina VanAernam, Dixie Anti-Drug Coalition Karen VanAernam, Cross City Restore and Renew  Kenneth "Tank" Lee, Mayor and Town Council Member Seat 5,  Carol West, Dixie Chamber of Commerce/Dixie County Education Foundation  CALLTOORDER  The Workshop was called to order at 5:00 PM by Town Mayor, Kenneth "Tank"Lee.  INVOCATION AND PLEDGE TOTHE AMERICANFLAG  The Invocation was led by City Manager John Driggers Jr. and the Pledge to the American Flag was led  by' Town Council Member Kirk Merhefka.  Workshop BOCC and' Town of Cross City Council Meeting Minutes- -  January 17,2024 - 5:001 PM - Page I of6    Police Chief. Jamie King spoke on the partnership displayed between the City Police Department and County Sheriff's Office during the standoffi in Cross City on January 16, 2024. He expressed his appreciation for everyone working together. He also stated that they had help from the Columbia County SWATt team and the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) provided drone coverage. Town Council Member Ryan Fulford stated the city has hired William Garner to serve as the new City Town of Cross City Fire Chief William Garner said he was happy to be here and is learning, sO ifanyone has any ideas for the Fire Department, please let him know. He also stated that the fire station should be Council Member Fulford reviewed the Retail Strategies Activity Report. He informed the group that the city and county have been in aj partnership since July 2023 and Retail Strategies have been actively recruiting new businesses on their behalf. Retail Strategies has also been working closely with interested retailers such as a regional coffee brand and a national tool and equipment retailer, to match them with suitable sites within the county. Hes stated their data shows most oft the money coming into the county is City Manager John Driggers Jr. stated Retail Strategies would like to contact the owner oft the Save-A-Lot Mrs. Carol West said Retail Strategies are looking at every retailer that is looking to expand. Council Member Fulford stated there will be ai meeting in Perry, FL with Retail Strategies on February 15, 2024. The city is making plans to present something to the public to represent the partnership and their efforts to build up and change the face of our city and county. The Tourism Development Council (TDC), Retail Strategies, and the Economic Development Planning Council have all been working Council Member Fulford informed everyone that The Friends of the Nature Coast Concert raised over $525,000.00. This money will go to the community members who sent in applications, totaling around sixty (60) applicants, from Cedar Key, Suwannee, Horseshoe, and Steinhatchee. Mrs. Carol West stated that they hope to issue the checks at the end ofJ January 2024.  Fire Chief.  receiving the new fire engine by the end ofl February 2024.  from thel North, into Cross City and then to the coastal areas. Grocery Store. He added that he has a good contact number.  together for our community.  Council Member Fulford asked about the status of the letter ofs support from the county for the city on the County Manager Paul Gainey replied that the County has already passed this, but they are waiting on City Manager John Driggers Jr. stated he will get the information needed to the county and will send the Mrs. Karen VanAernam ofCross City Restore and Renew informed everyone that thel Rural County Days will be held in' Tallahassee next on Wednesday and Thursday, January 24" and 25t,2 2024. The County Commissioners will be there on Wednesday night the 24+h for the "Meet and Greet" and' Town Council  Felty/Train Depot property.  directions from the city on how to prepare the letter and who to send itt to.  letters.  Member Fulford and Mrs. VanAernam are planning to go on Thursday, the 24"h.  Workshop BOCC and' Town of Cross City Council Meeting Minutes-  January 17,2024- - 5:001 PM - Page 2 of6    County Manager Paul Gainey stated that hei is planning on himself, Assistant County Manager Martha McCaskill, and all five (5) County Commissioners attending on the evening of Wednesday, January 24h. Mrs. West stated that the legislative delegation will be there on the night of January 24th. City Manager. John Driggers Jr. reminded everyone ofthe Centennial Celebration coming up on April 20, 2024. He stated there are several sponsors and venders signed up already. There are sponsorship forms available for anyone who wants one and vender spots availablei for those wishing toj participate. There County Manager Paul Gainey stated that the county has several projects going on at this time. The bid to build ai new: fire station off Chavous Road opens Tuesday, January 23, 2024. The county is also in the process of getting the final plans submitted out to bid for the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) expansion. Several road projects are coming up this year including the Mainline into Horseshoe and the southern end oft the Suwannee Highway. He said the county is still working on storm water issues, focusing on Old Hwy 19. They also worked the last couple years on the Airport Canal and the Old Town residential canal system. The county is still working with FEMA on Hurricane Idalia recovery. Building and Zoning Official Leon Wright stated that the county has been assigned al long-term Substantial Damage Representative from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the remainder of the year 2024. This FEMA representative will be looking at the county permitting, and collecting data ofall the damaged sites that the county has demoed and assessed. Mr. Wright stated that the FEMA representative will also be performing their own field work and is an auditor assigned to check permitted and nonpermitted work, both residential and commercial. He also stated that FEMA wanted 31 houses to be turned over tot them for auditing and Building and Zoning turned over 75 which exceeded Town Mayor Lee stated that the county was host, this past Saturday, toi the VFW State Convention at The Putnam Lodge. Mayor Lee said that Mrs. Kay Macallister did a great job coordinating this through the TDC. Mayor Lee asked ift there are any plans to repair the road in front oft the American Legion. County Manager Paul Gainey answered that the county should be paving the roadi in front of the American Legion within the next few months. They are 90% plans submitted to The Florida Department ofTransportation (FDOT). This should be going out for bid, and by mid-summer the county should have Katrina VanAernam of the. Anti-Drug Coalition asked what the county does to help the "housing insecure" when iti is cold outside. She asked if anyone had thought of setting up shelters within the county. She stated that over the years, she has gathered supplies for the homeless and that the church on Chavous Road has asked for supplies to help with this issue within the county. The Anti-Drug Coalition has money to donate towards helping collect supplies and is willing to organize something if needed. Town Council Kirk Marhefka stated that the Steinhatchee Community Center, in Taylor County, opened City Manager. John Driggers Jr. stated that he didn'tthink the city, or the county, could fund this. He also stated that whoever is willing to organize and facilitate this would have tol have money to fund it and experience in understanding and operating this kind ofs shelter. He noted that this would be a complex Mrs. West recommended speaking with Mrs. Beverly of the Tri County Resource Center for the contact Karen VanAernam stated that Beth Morrill is the contact person for the Warming Center". The center was open from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM for the last few cold nights. Mrs. Karen suggested maybe having a  will be an event planning meeting on January 18, 2024, at City Hall at 3:301 PM.  what they had requested.  a new road out there.  asas shelter during the last few cold days. undertaking and would not be easy.  information oft the person who runs the shelter for Levy County.  Workshop BOCC and' Town of Cross City Council Meeting Minutes-  January 17, 2024- - 5:00P PM - Page 3of6    "warming center" next year. She added that we may be able to use a church annex or the Women's Club  ifpossible.  Mayor Lee asked what if the "housing insecure" don'twant to go to as shelter.  Mrs. Karen VanAernam answered and stated that's why we should have legal ramifications in place. Mrs. Katrina VanAernam stated that al local resident in town, Ms. Tan, takes in those who are "housing insecure" as needed. She suggested that we should ask ifs she needs help with supplies or support. Mrs. Karen VanAernam said she will reach out to Beth Morrill for directions in organizing a center, and Commissioner Mark Hatch informed everyone that Retail Strategies will be in Perry, FL on February 15, 2024, and they also want to have ai face-to-face meeting with the county once a year. He requested looking into ai time to meet and suggested sometime in June or early. July. Commissioner Hatch also stated that he will meet with Mary ofl Duke Energy tomorrow at 10:00 AM. He also promoted attendance Clerk ofCourt Barbie Higginbotham stated that Cross City Restore and Renew is scheduled for a town Mrs. West asked ifs school students would be able to get community hours which would go towards  maybe next year we might be able to do something here in this county.  for the Rural County Days.  cleanup on February 24, 2024, at 8:30A AM. earning college scholarships.  Mrs. Karen VanAernam stated Gail Rains will get the word out to the schools. Clerk of Court Barbie Higginbotham stated that last year bags were left for pick-up. City Manager John Driggers Jr. said he could facilitate someone to help pick up the bags.  Mrs. Karen Van Aernam also added that Cross City Restore and Renew is updating the county entry sign. She stated that Christy Roberts is working to coordinate with the inmate crews for the before and after Mrs. West reminded everyone oft the 57th annual Dixie County Chamber ofCommerce meeting on February 8, 2024, at 12:00 noon. The meal will be provided by the Anti-Drug Coalition. Mrs. Karen Van Aernam said she and Police Chief Jamie King are planning to update the Facebook page City Manager. John Driggers Jr. said there is a need for sponsors and booths for the Centennial event. Mrs. Karen Van Aernam spoke about the Miss Dixie Pageant coming back to the county. The pageant will be headed up by Amanda Nessmith andl Maddie Kelly. She stated that this program will bring Building and Zoning Official Leon Wright wanted to inform everyone that we have three (3) new businesses coming to the county. Two (2) in Cross City and one (1) outside of Cross City. These Mrs. Karen Van Aernam asked about the plans fort the' Train Depot in Cross City. She stated that Cross City Restore and Renew would love to start working with Town Council Kirk Marhefka to remove the  clean-up for the Centennial Celebration.  for the Centennial event.  opportunities for girls to win college scholarships.  businesses are in the process of obtaining permits from Water Management.  lead paint from the Train Depot by the date oft the Centennial.  Workshop BOCC and Town of Cross City Council Meeting Minutes- -  January 17, 2024- - 5:00 PM - Page 4 of6    Council Member Marhefka stated he has received two (2) quotes for the lead paint removal, one (I) from Mrs. Karen Van Aernam added that the price for one (1) oftl the quotes was $15,016.00 and the other was Council Member Marhefka said the huge difference in pricing is because one is a wet lead paint removal Mrs. Karen Van Aernam asked ifv we are required by law to get a total ofthree (3) quotes. County Attorney Chana Watson said ifit is advertised with sufficient notice, you are not required to have City Manager Driggers advised to account for mobilization when choosing a quote. He states that Mrs. Karen Van Aernam asked ift there is a deadline for quotes and Fire Chief William Garner answered that you usually have 30 days. Mrs. Karen Van Aernam said we would need to requote it. Mrs. Karen Van Aernam added that the original Cross City signs that were found in the old Train Depot have been Town Council Fulford mentioned that there are funds int the Tourist Development Council (TDC) for the County Attorney Watson asked if we would qualify for the Historical Society for the Train Depot. Clerk of Court Barbie Higginbotham expressed concern for using places like the Women's Club for the "housing insecure". She stated we may have drug users access the property with needles and then have Mrs. West stated that three (3) out oftwelve (12) students are unhoused in the State of Florida school Mrs. Katrina Van Aernam advised of the reinstatement of Teen Court. She said the Hanley Foundation wrote for the grant called. Judicial Reinvestment. Their vision was for a grant Drug Court for adult mental health and substance abuse. She also mentioned that the new States Attorney is helping make the Mrs. Karen Van. Aernam suggested planning the next BOCC and Town of Cross City Workshop for  a company in Gainesville and the other from Tampa.  $68,800.00.  and the other is a dry lead paint removal.  three (3).  sometimes they charge more ift they have to travel farther to perform the job.  put out at the county lines. Train Depot.  that to deal with issue. system.  program work along with Judge Jennifer. Johnson. March 06, 2024, at 5:00 PM at City Hall. Council Member Fulford thanked everyone for coming. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND CONCERNS There were: no public comments or concerns at this time.  Workshop BOCC: and Town of Cross City Council Meeting Minutes-  January 17, 2024-5:00 PM - Page 5of6    ADJOURN  Town Mayor Kenneth Lee adjourned the meeting at 6:00 PM.  BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DIXIE COUNTY, FLORIDA Jamk Buy Jamie'Storey, Chairman  ATTEST:  Naldtan Barbie Higginbotham, Clerk-Auditor  PLEASE BE ADVISED that ifap person decides to appeal any decision made by the Board with respect to any matter considered at such meeting or hearings, he/s she will need a record oft the proceedings, andj for such purpose, he/: she will need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the "Persons with disabilities requesting reasonable accommodations to participate in this proceeding should contact The Board meets thej first Thursday of each month at 10:00AM and thet third Thursday ofe each month at 6:00 PM. Individuals that would like to be placed on the agenda should call Barbie Higginbotham, Clerk of Court, by  testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.  (352) 486-4931 (Voice & TDD) or via Florida Relay Service at (800) 955-8771." 4:001 PM on the Friday Preceding the Board meeting, at (352) 498-1200.  Workshop BOCC and' Town of Cross City Council Meeting Minutes-  January 17,2024 -5 5:001 PM - Page 6of6