REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD, JANUARY 3, …

1 REGULAR MEETING OF THE board , JANUARY 3, 2017 1. The MEETING was called to order at 9:00 in the Highlands county board of county Commission Chambers at 600 S. Commerce Ave., Sebring, Florida, with the following members present: Commissioner Don Elwell Commissioner R. Greg Harris Commissioner Jack L. Richie Commissioner William R. Handley Commissioner James L. Brooks Also present: June Fisher, county Administrator; Randy Vosburg, Assistant county Administrator; J. Ross Macbeth, county Attorney; Robert W. Germaine, Clerk of Courts; and Pamela Gamez, Deputy Clerk. 2. INVOCATION The MEETING opened with a prayer by Pastor Lloyd Estep, with the Spring Lake Baptist Church. A moment of silence was offered for those who passed within the last year, most recently, Mr.

2 Eugene Sauls, former City of Sebring Mayor, and Pastor Mike Karl, founder of the New Testament Church and Mission in Sebring, FL. 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Commissioner Jim Brooks. 4. SWEARING-IN CEREMONY OF CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS: A. The Honorable Peter Estrada: Swearing-in of Constitutional Officers: 1. Penny Ogg, Supervisor of Elections The Honorable Judge Peter Estrada swore-in Supervisor of Elections Penny Ogg. 2. Eric T. Zwayer, Tax Collector The Honorable Judge Peter Estrada swore-in Tax Collector Eric T. Zwayer. 3. Raymond McIntyre, Property Appraiser The Honorable Judge Peter Estrada swore-in Property Appraiser Raymond C. McIntyre. 4. Robert W.

3 Germaine, Clerk of Courts The Honorable Judge Peter Estrada swore-in Clerk of Courts Robert W. Germaine. B. The Honorable Angela Cowden: Swearing-in of Constitutional Officer: 1. Paul A. Blackman, Sheriff The Honorable Judge Angela Cowden swore-in Sheriff Paul A. Blackman. 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS Jan 3 3:00pm Highlands Soil & Water Conservation District Room #3, Bert J. Harris, Jr. Ag. Center 4509 George Blvd., Sebring, FL Jan 11 7:30am Highlands county Industrial Development Authority Career Source, 5901 Hwy 27S., Sebring, FL Jan 11 9:30am Heartland Regional Transportation Planning Organization Auditorium, 4509 George Blvd., Sebring, FL Jan 11 11:00am Heartland Regional Transportation Planning Organization (TAC) Auditorium, 4509 George Blvd.

4 , Sebring, FL Jan 12 2:30pm Historic Preservation Commission 501 S. Commerce Ave., Sebring, FL 6. CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS ANNOUNCEMENTS BOOK 23 PAGE 222010317 REG A. Robert W. Germaine, Clerk of Courts: Mr. Germaine wished everyone a happy new year and expressed words of gratitude for the working relationship between the constitutional officers, the board of county Commissioners, and the citizens, and stated that he was proud to be a resident of Highlands county . B. Paul A. Blackman, Sheriff: Sheriff Blackman thanked the Commission for allowing everyone to be sworn-in today in the Commission chambers and stated that he will do his best to continue to have a good working relationship with the Commission, and that he will work hard to represent Highlands county as best he can.

5 7. RECOGNITIONS, PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS: A. Employee Recognition for Years of Service Awards June Fisher, county Administrator, invited the Commission to come forward to help recognize the employees for their years of service. See SMB 119 Page 1. 1. Vicki Pontius, Leisure Services Director: Vicki Pontius, Leisure Services Director, recognized Mr. Larry Howard, Parks and Recreation Supervisor, for his years of service to Highlands county . 2. Chris Benson, Community Programs Director: Chris Benson, Administrative Projects Manager/Community Programs Director, recognized Ms. Lucy Castillo, Housing Program Specialist, for her years of service to Highlands county . 3. Maria Chenique, Lead Librarian, Sebring Library: Maria Chenique, Lead Librarian, recognized Ms.

6 Mary Isaacson and Ms. Samantha Gambill, librarians, for their years of service to Highlands county . 8. CITIZENS NOT ON THE AGENDA Mr. Elton Gissendanner came before the Commission to address a clarification on a newspaper article in regards to Lake Grassy. The newspaper indicated that Lake Grassy was a private lake and Mr. Gissendanner stated that it was a sovereign lake. Mr. Gissendanner also stated that recently the Town of Lake Placid authorized the Town Administrator to obtain a piece of property at the west end of Lake Clay and the plan is to petition Tallahassee to add the property to the Florida Forever program (conservation and recreation lands acquisition program).

7 Mr. Gissendanner requested the Commission join in this effort. Chairman Elwell stated that the county Administrator will look into this issue. Mr. Herbert Call came before the Commission to request that the county fund at least one (1) mile of new road paving per year. Chairman Elwell stated that the county already funds a little more than one mile per year. Mr. Dick Fankhauser came before the Commission to question where the funds came from for the improvements of Tractor Road. Chairman Elwell stated that the funds came from an FDOT approved grant. Mr. Dale Phlug, through eComment, expressed his opposition to any expenditure associated with the mitigation of sand skinks within Highlands county , unless approved by a majority of the citizens.

8 The county Administrator stated that the county is required to advertise for 30 days before consideration of purchase of property, and that they are currently in that process right now. Chairman Elwell stated that the sand skink issue is also being brought before the Legislative Delegation. BOOK 23 PAGE 223010317 REG 9. CONSENT AGENDA Commissioner Brooks made a motion and Commissioner Handley seconded the motion, to move to approve the consent agenda as presented. Upon roll call, all Commissioners voted aye. The motion carried. A. Request approval to pay all duly authorized bills. GENERAL FUND 5, county TRANSPORT TRUST 29, E911 OPERATIONS FUND 39, LAW ENFORCEMENT EDUC 6, LOCAL GOVT INFRA SURTAX 5, TOURIST DEV TRUST FUND 2, SEBRING PARKWAY MAINT BUILDING FUND SOLID WASTE 3, ENERGY RECOVERY 56, B.

9 Move to accept into the record the Combined Financial Statements and Supplementary Information for Fiscal Years Ended (FYE) June 30, 2016 and 2015 for Peace River Center for Personal Development, Inc. and Affiliates. See Peace River Center file. C. Request approval for City of Avon Park Interlocal Agreement for Recreation funding. See City of Avon Park file. D. Request approval of Hospital District board Member Appointments. See SMB 119 Page 2. E. Request approval of application for registration of the fictitious name "Visit Sebring". See Tourist Development file. F. Request approval of Budget Amendment 16-17-041 and Resolution; Removal of excess budget due to reclassification of expenses into prior FY.

10 See Res. Book 28 Page 45 & SMB 119 Page 3. G. Request acceptance of Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) Program FY 16-17 grant award and to approve Budget Amendment 16-17-045 and Resolution. See Res. Book 28 Page 46 & SMB 119 Page 4. 10. CONSENT AGENDA (2): Request approval to pay all bills with voting conflicts. There being no items with voting conflicts, this item was not considered. 11. PUBLIC HEARING A. PUBLIC HEARING: Public Hearing to adopt an Ordinance amending Section 4 of Highlands county board of county Commissioners Ordinance 15-16-14, adopting amendments to subsection (c) of Section 9-1 of Article I of Chapter 9 of the Code of Ordinances, Highlands county , Florida, pertaining to distribution of the proceeds of the two-cent local option fuel tax and the four-cent local option fuel tax and the six-cent local option fuel tax on motor fuel and diesel fuel; providing for severability; providing for conflict; and providing for an effective date.