Monday, February 20, 2012

County Planner Alan Pierce's February 21st report to the Franklin County Commission


Report to the Board of County Commissioners
February 21, 2012

1- Board action for Ms. Beverly Hewitt to be appointed the Apalachicola Chamber of Commerce representative to the TDC.  She is replacing Mark Friedman. The TDC has reviewed Ms. Hewitt’s qualifications and has determined she is qualified to serve.

2 – Inform the Board that the cutting of 4th St in Eastpoint was done by Eastpoint Water and Sewer District.  It was done in the US 98 ROW.  The road cutting and ditch work are being supervised by Transfield Services in accordance with their contract with DOT.   I informed Transfield of the Board’s objections to 4th St being cut without Board approval, and about the Board’s safety concerns for the deep ditch the District has dug along the side of the road.  I am waiting a response back from Transfield.
            I did receive a draft Letter of Credit from the District that Mr. Allen said his Board would be reviewing at their next meeting.

3- Airport update- The Airport Advisory Committee recommends the Board enter into negotiations with Sky High Apalachicola as the new FBO at the airport.  The Committee would have Sky High use the existing FBO building.  The Committee recommends that all the proposals for use of the new hanger be rejected and re-advertise.  The concern was that some of the firms wanting to use the new hanger offered to increase their proposed rent, but this was done after all the proposals had been opened and discussed.  Based upon previous direction from the Board, AIATC has signed a 3 month extension so unless the extension is cancelled AIATC is entitled to be the FBO until April 30.   Board discussion.

4- Board action to approve Final Change Order (Change Order No. 4), Reconciliation of Quantities for Corporate Hanger.  The Changer Order has been approved by the engineers and the Airport Manager, Ted Mosteller.

5- Board action for Chairman to sign Notice of Award to C.W. Roberts for the CR 67 Bridge approach contract.

6- Inform Board that Ms. Kim Barnhill is now the new acting administrator for the Franklin County Health Dept.  From the brief message I received I believe Ms. Barnhill will continue in her role as Jefferson County Director while she is acting director here.

7- Inform Board that the FWC did respond to the Board’s comments about the Gag Grouper rules, and the FWC did create a Florida season for 4 counties, including Franklin, for the time April through June.

8- Inform Board that the FWC has announced tentative dates for applying for construction grants for Abercombie Boat Ramp and the St. George Island Bathroom project will be April 9- June 8.  Mark Curenton will be working on the applications for both projects.

9- Board direction on a sunken boat at the sand ramp on St. George Island.  The boat has been sunk for about a month.  It is not currently in the way, but high water could shift the boat causing major problems for everyone trying to use the ramp.  The boat is approximately 20 feet long and is probably 75 feet from land in the middle of the lagoon.

10- Inform Board that by Order of the Governor (Executive Order 12-10), the Governor has ordered a review of all 1634 special districts in the state.  The Office of Policy and Budget will conduct the examination. 

11- Inform Board that the Northwest Florida Water Management District will be holding a public hearing on Feb. 23, at 1:10 PM at its offices in Havana to present its 5 Year Land Acquisition Plan.  The 5 Year Plan does not include any new acquisitions in Franklin County so there are no proposed changes in the county.

12- Inform the Board that DEP did grant a time extension until March 21 to the county regarding the Notice of Violation issue on Alligator Point.  I am arranging a site visit with DEP and the county’s consultant, Mike Dombrowski, to go over the issue.

13- Commissioner Lockley asked that I make some inquiry into how other rural hospitals have established billing offices as it has been a discussion the Board has had ever since the two local banks were closed by the FDIC.  I spoke at length with Doctor’s Memorial CEO Mr. Richard Huth, in Perry, Florida.  He has been the CEO of Doctor’s Memorial for 3 years and was very informative.  He offered to come to a Board meeting and discuss with the Board what he has learned about running a rural hospital.  Doctor’s Memorial is under a lease agreement with TMH.

14- Franklin County Librarian Glenda Ondracek requests Board permission to advertise to fill the vacancy created by the departure of Ms. Suzanne Creamer.  The position is a permanent, part-time, position, with a recommended hourly salary of $10/hour, and up to 26 hours per week of employment.

15- Commissioner Parrish was in Washington, DC, attending to county business during the first week of February regarding the BP oil spill, and also the oyster industry.  On the BP oil spill, it appears that Congress is making progress in directing money to the impacted counties.  The House passed the RESTORE Act which stipulates that for the state of Florida, “75% of the funding shall be applied to the 8 disproportionately affected counties…” of which Franklin is one, and the remaining 25% will be distributed around the state.  The amount of funding is being negotiated between federal officials and BP.
            The Senate is expected to vote on a similar bill within 2 weeks. 

16- Chairman Jackel met with Congressman Southerland, USACOE representatives, and DEP representatives on Feb. 13 to discuss the need to dredge the Eastpoint Channel.  DEP appears ready to accept the commitment made in 1983 to allow “one more time open water disposal.”  This means the spoil material will be placed on the Eastpoint breakwater and solves a major problem of where to put the spoil.  The USACOE is looking into the funding opportunities.


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