Barbie Higginbotham CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT  DIXIE COUNTY CROSS CITY, FLORIDA 32628  Emergency Meeting  April 22,  2024  Toa address life, safety, and health concerns at public parks and County owned properties.  The Boardi meetings are audio recorded. The public can hear and/ participate in the meeting via conference calll by  dialing 1(917/900-1022 and enter code 32628.  1. CALL TO ORDER  The meeting was called to order by Commissioner Storey 2. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE TOTHE AMERIÇANFLAG  Mr. Gainey stated the reason for this emergency meeting is in reference toi the occurrences this past weekend at Shired Island Park. He stated there was a major influx of people and some of these people went onto private and federal land. He approached the Board for clear direction on what to  do at the County parks.  Emergency Meeting Minutes- - April 22, 2024-4:00PM- - Page Iof5    Mr. Gainey also handed out aj packet of photos of major hazards in the park. The pictures included piles of metal and exposed wood, even though no electricity is on at the park there are bare wires exposed as well. He stated he spoke to Chief Scott Garner and Mr. Garner told him the County is ata point to be ablei to go to the park and clean up the hazards. Mr. Gainey recommended, getting clear direction from the Board and acting quickly on this because of its liability to the County. Commissioner Stephenson stated he visited the beach personally and was also shown videos of people driving down past the beach onto the point of Shired Island. He suggested cleaning up the park and leaving it open for people who would like to goi in and take pictures and such, but not wide open to vehicle traffic. He recommended blocking off the entrance of the road going down to the beach to vehicles so nobody can get into the park with a vehicle or camper and closing it to camping. Road Department Supervisor Steven Hutchison agreed but added that if the parki is left open the Mr. Earl Vonley stated there is also ai trail on the right side of the park to which the public is gaining Commissioner Osteen who attended the meeting via phone stated he agreed that the County should block the entrance road off and allow only pedestrian traffic until Hurricane Idalia repairs are  public will still camp.  access.  completed.  Mr. Hutchison recommended using concrete barricades to block the entrance along with some fallen Commissioner Stephenson mentioned that if they barricade the entrance road, they may need to  trees and that this would only take a couple hours to complete. move the porta-potties up to the barricade for pumping access. Attorney' Watson asked if the boat ramp will be closed as well. Commissioner Hatch answered, No, because of the boat ramp.  Commissioner Hatch asked Commissioner Stephenson if he would be ok with putting some sort of light poles or fence along the side of the County property that butts up to his property. Commissioner Stephenson states the only question he had was that there is al lease that was written between the County and his momi in around 1990. He said the lease was $1.00 a year that the County was to pay the Mrs. Stephenson and required the County to provide liability insurance. He wanted to know if this lease was still active. Mr. Gainey stated he would have to check to see.  Emergency Meeting Minutes- = April 22, 2024- - 4:00PM- = Page 2 of5    Attorney' Watson made the recommendation from al liability standpoint to close the parks until cleaned up, especially considering that the County. just received money to make Shired Island an Director of Emergency Operations Mr. Darian Brown stated thel beachi improvements can be started ont the engineering side oft things right now, but the County can't put the sand back until they get done engineering the beach. As far as the construction of the pavilions is concerned, this hasn't gotten  engineered beach and people are destroying the beach.  approval yet and it could be a couple months for that.  The Motion to clean up and shut down the Shired Island Park to traffic other than foot traffic with no vehicles or camping until further notice was made by Commissioner Stephenson. Seconded by Mr. Hutchison stated there is a tent down at the park with people livingi in it and rumor that there are needles and: such ini the tent and he asked for help from the Sheriff's Department with removal. The Sheriff's Office representative said they will send an officer with the Road Department to handle  Commissioner Wood. Board approved.  this.  Attorney' Watson recommended addressing camping at Horseshoe Park as well.  Clerk of Court Barbie Higginbotham stated that parking of the boat trailers at the Horseshoe Parki is  fine, but asked how the County will be able to prevent camping. Mr. Hutchison said therei is a park attendant down there.  Commissioner Hatch asked how long the park would be closed. Several other commissioners: said Chief Deputy Clerk Verna Wilson stated she spoke with the Finance Department, and they said there has never been a check written to the Stephenson's fori the $1.00 a year contract to lease for as long as Finance Director Brenda Royal has been here. She also stated thati ifi it had not been paidi it would Motion to close the Horseshoe Beach Park with no camping, no tents, only boat ramp use and parking only until further notice made by Commissioner. Stephenson. Seconded. by Commissioner Wood.  until further notice.  make it a non-valid contract.  Board approved.  Mr. Gainey asked for clarification on the motion. He asked if the County was going to have the Road Department take down the remaining pavilions, and then post signs stating boat ramp use and  parking only.  Emergency Meeting Minutes - April 22, 2024-4:001 PM- - Page 3 of5    Commissioner Stephenson stated yes, that is correct.  Mr. Garner stated the rebuilding of the pavilions could take around at least six months. Commissioner Hatch asked Mr. Hutchison if he has looked at Horseshoe Beach Park electrical? Mr. Hutchison answered that he has and al lot ofi it has saltwater damage, it's non-reparable. Commissioner Stephenson recommended looking into how to get the Parks back up and running and Mrs. Higginbotham asked if we could go ahead and start on the projects that are through Federal  presenting it: at the next Board meeting.  Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and getreimbursed.  Director Brown said the County can'tj just go ina and start these projects and expect FEMA to reimburse Commissioner Stephenson suggested getting a set of portable bathrooms so that when a storm is Mr. Gainey stated the County has voted and these other items can be looked into and addressed later.  them,  coming, they can be removed.  Commissioner Stephenson asked about the status oft the Suwannee River flooding. Director Brown stated iti is ati flood stage and some of thel landings are closed. are moccasins crawling int the children's playground because of the flooding.  Commissioner Wood stated that the attendant ati the Hinton Landing Boat Ramp Park told him there The Motion was made by Commissioner Wood to shut down the playground on Hinton Landing Park.  Commissioner. Stephenson seconded. Board approved.  Emergency Meeting Minutes- April 22, 2024- = 4:00PM- - Page 4 of5    25. ADJOURN approved.  The Motion to adjourn was made by Commissioner Hatch. Commissioner Wood: seconded. Board  BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DIXIE COUNTY, FLORIDA dae gGiay Jamie Storey, Chairman  ATTEST:    Nhe Barbie Higginbotham, Clerk-Auditor  PLEASE BE ADVISED that ifa person decides to appeal any decision made by the Board with respect to matter considered at such meeting or hearings, he/ she will need a record ofi the proceedings, andj for such any purpose, he/ she will need to ensure that a verbatim record oft 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 ofe feach month at 10:00AM: and the third Thursday of each month at 6:00 PM. Individuals that would like to bey placed on the agenda should call Barbie Higginbotham, Clerk  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." 4:00 PM on the Friday Preceding the Board meeting, at (352) 498-1200.  ofCourt, by  Emergency Meeting Minutes April 22, 2024- - 4:00PM- - Page 5 of5