Community Update

A Report on the Activites of Alachua County Government
Community Update
December 14, 2007
FEATURES
PAGE
Rescued pooch Frankie
2
County Update TV
2
115 acres donated to ACF 3
Employees raise funds
4
Voter registration deadline 5
SBA disaster loans
6
Alachua County Talks TV 7
Event reminder
7
Commission highlights
8
Advisory board openings 10
Community Update
is published by the
County Manager’s
Communications Office
Mark Sexton
Communications Coordinator
Latoya Gainey
Executive Staff Assistant
PUBLICATIONS
Michael Fara
Community Update Editor
Takumi Sullivan
Graphic Designer
CHANNEL 12
Alan Yeatter
Production Coordinator
Shelley Samec
Production Technician
Alachua County thanks WCJB TV20 for
their help adopting pets
For nearly 4 years, WCJB TV20 in
Gainesville has been hosting Alachua
County Animal Services Officer Hilary
Hynes once a week during their Morning
Edition news broadcast for the Pets of the
Week segment. The segment showcases
pets that are up for adoption from Animal
Services, and occurs on Thursday mornings
during the 6:00 a.m. broadcast, at roughly
6:15 a.m.
Hynes usually lets viewers meet a
dog and a cat, and TV20 News Anchor
Amanda Decker discusses with her the
pets’ personalities and the types of homes
they’re looking for. Additionally, TV20 posts
video of the segment on their website in
the Your Pets section along with photos
and information of other pets looking for
a home in Morning Edition’s Picks of the
Week.
Hynes is very appreciative of TV20’s
efforts as she says, “Almost every animal that
has been shown on Pets of the Week has
been adopted.” She notes that this segment
also leads to a great deal of community
interest in Alachua County Animal Services,
such as Brownie Troop 314 visiting Animal
Services this week to make a donation of
supplies and tour the facility. Hynes also
said TV20 does many animal related stories,
and is big promoter of animal news.
TV20 has noted, based on a study of
their viewership, that Pets of the Week is
the most watched segment of the most
watched news broadcast on TV20.
Alachua County thanks TV20 for their
good work in helping find homes for
animals in need.
TV20 News Anchor Amanda Decker (left)
hosts Alachua County Animal Control Officer
Hilary Hynes during her Pet of the Week
segment. Click to link to the video page.
Cat of the week Big Ben can be adopted at the
Animal Servies website.
For more information on how to
adopt a pet, please visit Alachua County
Animal Services on the web at http://
www.alachuacounty.us/government/
depts/pw/animal/ or call them at (352)
264-6870.
Community Update
December 14, 2007
2
When Alachua County Codes
Enforcement Officer Dorothy Hague
dressed up her dog Frankie, a nine year
old Shih Tzu, as a construction worker
for Alachua County’s third annual
United Way Fall Festival, she had no idea
he would be in the costume contest.
Against some very strong competition,
and him not wanting to wear his hard
hat, he won second place.
Frankie’s life has turned around. In
1999, Frankie ran away from home and
was rescued by Alachua County Animal
Services. Hague adopted Frankie from
Alachua County Codes Enforcement Officer Dorothy Hague
the Alachua County Humane Society
costumed her rescued dog Frankie, who then won second place in
via Animal Services that year, and he
the costume contest at the United Way Fall Festival in October.
had made himself a real mess. His
original name was Petey, as in Stinky Petey.
Now Frankie has cleaned up, though he still
sports his green Animal Services tattoo. Not
only did he dress up for United Way, he also visits
a day care center and lets dozens of kids, all at
once, hug him and get doggie kisses. As long as
you’re not trying to cut his nails or make him
share his toys, he’s game for anything.
Hague is quite taken with Frankie,
exclaiming, “Rescue dogs rock!”
County Update TV on Community 12
This month’s County Update include features on
the The City of Gainesville/Alachua County Office on
Homelessness 3rd Annual Homeless Night Out, The
9th Annual Trashformations Recycled Art Competition,
County news, fire safety tips for the holiday season
from Alachua County Fire Rescue, a visit with Alachua
County veterans of World War II, and a recap of recent
County Commission meetings.
The episode will premier on Community 12 on
Friday, November 30.
Channel 12 Show Schedule
County Update Video Archive
Featured in this month’s County Update is the
Trashformations art and fashion show. Ryan Tanay
is pictured here in fashion he made from recycled
materials. Click on the image to view the video.
Photos by Takumi Sullivan
Rescued pooch gets 2nd place in costume contest
Community Update
December 14, 2007
3
115 acre parcel is donated to Alachua County Forever
At their Tuesday, December 11, 2007
board meeting, the Alachua County Board
of County Commissioners will consider
accepting a conservation easement donation
from Mrs. Mable Robertson. The property is a
115 acre parcel on SW 8th Avenue just west
of SW 91st Street. As part of the conservation
easements negotiations, Alachua County
Forever and The Nature Conservancy are
proposing covering the transaction costs.
Mrs. Robertson and her husband bought
the land over 50 years ago, when that part
of the County was still 100% rural, and have
made great efforts to keep the land as it was
at the time of the original purchase. They
farmed the areas that had been previously
cut for timber and pasture use, and left alone
those hammock areas that had not been
disturbed. Mrs. Robertson continues to walk
the fencelines, tend to the few cattle that
graze the property, pull boulders and fallen
limbs from various walking paths, and does
most of the work to keep up the property.
In speaking of the donation, Mrs.
Robertson’s attorney Mellissa Norman said,
“Mrs. Robertson has watched development
change the character of Newberry Road from
rural parkway to highway and observed the
gradual demise of tung trees and adjacent
farming practices. Over the years, the
Robertsons turned down many lucrative
development offers.” Norman continued
saying, ‘She has a true love of the land; the
land inspires her, keeps her mentally and
physically balanced and intact. She knows
and tends to every individual tree on that
property like they were her children.”
Mrs. Robertson said of the donation, “I’m
glad to know the property will be protected
in its natural condition for the enjoyment of
future generations to come, and the needs of
the community for green space. You can’t put
a price on trees.”
This 115 acre conservation easement was donated by
Mrs. Mable Robertson to Alachua County Forever.
“We are very grateful that Mrs. Robertson
and her family recognize the value of
conserving these green spaces,” said Ramesh
Buch, Alachua County Forever Program
Manager. “We are honored she chose Alachua
County Forever as the trustee of her legacy.”
Alachua County Forever was created by
the voters in 2000. It is funded through a 0.25
mill property tax and is capped at a total of
$29 million. To date the County has used $22
million of these local dollars to leverage $41
million of federal, State and private funds to
protect over 12,000 acres of property.
For more information about becoming an
Alachua County Forever Volunteer, contact
Ramesh Buch at (352) 264-6800. Visit http://
www.alachuacounty.us/government/depts/
epd/land/ for more information on Alachua
County Forever.
Community Update
December 14, 2007
4
Commissioner Lee Pinkoson (from left), Commissioner Mike Byerly, and
Environmental Protection Director Chris Bird got soaked as dunking booth
volunteers and raised a lot of funds for United Way.
To view video of
recognition, go to
item number 7 in the
following video link:
http://alachua.granicus.
com/MediaPlayer.
php?view_id=3&clip_
id=529&publish_
id=&event_id=
UF mascot Albert the Alligator judged
contests and had fun with the Fall Festival
crowd.
Photos by Takumi Sullivan
The third annual Fall
Festival raised $5,955
and our second annual
A-Bay online auction
raised $2,628 for a
grand total of $8,583. In
total, between the Fall
Festival, A-Bay Auction, A zombie bride from Environmental
Protection won the Fall Festival costume
and Payroll Deduction,
contest.
employees donated a
total $33,059.
Photos by Takumi Sullivan
For several years now,
Alachua County employees
have supported United Way
and its community investment
programs through payroll
deduction and annual special
events. This year’s event,
the United Way Fall Festival,
included participation by
employees of the County
Commission, the Clerk of
Court, the Sheriff’s Office, the
Tax Collector, and the
Library District.
Photos by Takumi Sullivan
At the Dec. 11, 2007 Board
meeting the Alachua County
Commission recognized the
United Way Team that dedicated
the time, talent, creativity, and
effort that made the 2007
fund raising campaign a huge
County employees from the 2007 United Way Team pose after being
success.
recognized during the Dec. 11 Commission meeting for their work.
Photos by Mark Sexton
County and Constitutional employees raise $33,059
for United Way in 2007
A chili cookoff was one of the highlights
of the Fall Festival.
County employees showcased their
musical talents on the pumpkin carving
contest stage.
Community Update
December 14, 2007
5
Primary voter registration deadline is fast approaching
You may register to vote, update your voter
information, or update your signature online at
http://elections.alachuacounty.us . You may also
register to vote in person at the Supervisor of
Elections Office or by mail. Call the Supervisor of
Elections Office at (352) 374-5252 for a list of other
facilities in the county where voter registration
application forms may be obtained. Mail-in
applications must be postmarked no later than the
December 31st deadline.
There are 3 ways to cast a ballot in Alachua
County. Voters may choose to vote absentee, early
vote or vote at their polling location on Election
Day.
Photos by Mike Fara
Monday, December 31, 2007 is the last day to
register to vote for the January 29, 2008 Presidential
Preference Primary Election and the City of
Gainesville Election. The Supervisor of Elections
Office will be open during normal office hours on
December 31, 2007 to accept voter registration
applications. You must be a City of Gainesville
resident to vote in the Gainesville City Election.
Early Voting Sites
Supervisor of Elections Office
County Administration Building Location
12 SE 1st Street, Gainesville
Millhopper Branch Library
3145 NW 43rd Street, Gainesville
Tower Road Branch Library
3020 SW 75th Street, Gainesville
Election Day Voting
Anyone may request an absentee ballot. To
have your absentee ballot be mailed to you, call the
Supervisor of Elections office at (352) 374-5252 no
later than 5 PM on the 6th day before the election.
All absentee ballots must be received in the
Supervisor of Elections Office by 7p.m. Election Day.
The polls are open from 7AM to 7 PM on
Election Day. Florida Law requires voters to present
picture and signature ID in order to vote, or you
will need to vote a provisional ballot. If you need
to locate your precinct, go to http://elections.
alachuacounty.us/precinct_finder.html. If you
have any questions, please call the Supervisor of
Elections Office at (352) 374-5252.
Early Voting
Accessible Voting Equipment
Early Voting for the January 29th Presidential
Preference Primary Election and the City of
Gainesville Election will be available during the
following dates and times: from January 14, 2008
through January 26, 2008
One audio enhanced, accessible voting
machine will be available in every polling place
and each early voting site. This equipment enables
voters with low vision, voters who are blind, or
otherwise unable to cast a paper ballot to vote
without assistance. The voter is able to listen to the
ballot and vote independently using a keypad or
by touching the screen. All other Alachua County
voters will continue to use the Optical Scan (fill in
the bubble) equipment they are accustomed to.
Absentee Voting
Weekdays, Monday – Friday (9am to 5pm)
Saturday (9am to 1pm) – January 19, 2008
Sunday (1pm to 5pm) - January 20, 2008
Saturday (9am to 5pm) - January 26, 2008
Community Update
December 14, 2007
6
Small Business Administration Disaster Loans Are
Available in Alachua County
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
announced last week that federal disaster loans are
available to small businesses located in the State of
Florida as a result of drought that occurred January
1, 2007 and continues. Small businesses in Alachua
County are eligible to apply.
“When the Secretary of Agriculture issues a
disaster declaration to help farmers recover from
damages and losses to crops, the Small Business
Administration issues a declaration to assist small
businesses affected by the same disaster,” said Frank
Skaggs, Director of SBA Field Operations Center
East.
Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury
Disaster Loan program is available to farm-related
and nonfarm-related small business concerns
and small agricultural cooperatives that suffered
financial losses as a direct result of this disaster.
Farmers and ranchers are not eligible to apply
to SBA, but nurseries are eligible to apply for
economic injury disaster loans for losses caused by
drought conditions.
Eligible small businesses may qualify for loans
up to $1.5 million. These loans are available at a 4
percent interest rate with loan terms up to 30 years.
SBA determines eligibility for the program based
on the size and type of business and its financial
resources. Loan amounts and terms are set by the
SBA and are based upon each applicant’s financial
condition. Under this disaster declaration, the SBA
cannot provide loans to agricultural producers.
Interested business owners should contact
the SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling
1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the
hearing-impaired) Monday through Friday from
8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Loan applications can also be
downloaded from http://www.sba.gov/services/
disasterassistance/businessesofallsizes/index.html.
Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S.
Small Business Administration, Processing and
Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort
Worth, TX 76155.
Completed loan applications must be returned
to SBA no later than July 28, 2008.
Community Update
December 14, 2007
7
What’s on Alachua County Talks?
On the latest editions of Alachua County Talks, Jonathan
Paul, Alachua County’s Impact Fee Administrator for the Growth
Management Department, discusses impact fees.
Also, Alachua County Court Services Director Cyndi Morton
gives a detailed overview of the Court Services functions.
You can view the videos by clicking on the images to the
right.
Alachua County Talks is shown on Community 12, Your
Local Government Channel, so tune in.
Growth Management
Impact Fee Administrator Johnathan Paul
Click to view video
Channel 12 Show Schedule
Alachua County Talks Video Archive
Court Services Director Cyndi Morton
Click to view video
County Event and Meeting Reminder
Primary Voter Registration Deadline
•
•
•
•
•
Monday, December 31, 2007
Last day to register to vote for Jan. 29 Presidential Primary Election and the City of Gainesville Election
Supervisor of Elections Office will be open during normal office hours on December 31, 2007
Register to vote, update your info or your signature at http://elections.alachuacounty.us .
Register by mail by calling (352) 374-5252
Pet of the Week News Segment
•
•
•
•
Thursday mornings on TV20 at 6:00 a.m.
Visit TV20’s Pet of the Week webpage to view the video and for more pet info
Call Alachua County Animal Services for more pet adoption info
Or visit them on the web at http://www.alachuacounty.us/government/depts/pw/animal/
Community Update
December 14, 2007
8
Commission Meeting Highlights
December 11, 2007
Commissioner Paula M. DeLaney
Commissioner Lee Pinkoson
Commissioner Cynthia Moore Chestnut
Chair Rodney J. Long and
Vice Chair Mike Byerly
Click here to view video of December 11 meeting on Video-on-Demand
Presentations, Proclamations and Recognitions
The Board recognized the Event Coordinators, the Official Event Sponsors, the United Way 2007 Team,
and the County Employees who contributed to the success of the Fall Festival 2007 in support of United
Way of North Central Florida. (See page 4 for article)
Prizesponsorlist2007.pdf
UWsponserlist.pdf
The Board approved the revisions to Employee Policys #5-15,
Pol 5_15_Incentive Retention Payrevised905.pdf
The Board Adopted Resolution 07-XXX in support of the 2007 Orange Creek Basin Management
Action Plan
Resolution in support of the Orange Creek Basin Management Action Plan.pdf
Orange Creek Basin Management Action Plan October 15 2007.pdf
Orange Creek Basin Management Action Plan Presentation December 11 2007.ppt
The Board approved the Lease Agreement between Sun Circle Inc. and Alachua County Board of County
Commissioners to house the State Conflict Resolution Attorneys.
The Board passed a resolution supporting the Permanency of the FEMA long-term recovery office in
Orlando, FL.
Public Hearings
The Board held the Public Hearing and adopted the Resolution of Intent to use the uniform method
of collecting non-ad valorem assessments for collection, disposal, recycling and management of solid
waste throughout Alachua County and for community maintenance in the Sugarfoot Oaks/Cedar Ridge
Preservation and Enhancement District for Fiscal Year 2008-09.
2007ResIntentForFY0809.pdf
The Board accepted and exercised the option to purchase the Conservation Easement on the Gainesville
Archipelago - Robertson Tract and authorize staff to execute documents as necessary to close the
transaction. Amount: $25,505.00
Exhibit 4 BoCC071211 Robertson.ppt
Exhibit 2 Robertson Evaluation.pdf
Exhibit 3 SFR Robertson acq costs.pdf
Exhibit 1 Assignment and Easement.pdf
Community Update
December 14, 2007
9
Commission Meeting Highlights
Presentations, Proclamations and Recognitions continued
The Board adopted Resolution Z-07-32 amending the requested zoning district from RE-1 (single family
residential) district to residential PD (planned development) district.
Wharton background Part 1.pdf
Wharton background Part 3.pdf
Wharton background Part 4.pdf
Wharton background Part 5.pdf
ZOM1207 Reso.pdf
Wharton PD ZMP.pdf
Citizen Comments.pdf
Wharton background Part 2.pdf
ZOM1207.pdf
The Board approved ZOM-21-07 the proposed minor amendment to the South Pointe Planned
Development.
ZOM 21 07 Application.pdf
ZOM 21 07 Staff Report.pdf
ZOM 21 07 Resolution.pdf
ZOM 21 07 Revised ZMP.pdf
The Board approved ZOM-18-07 the proposed amendment to the Oakmont Planned Development,
with the bases and conditions in the staff report.
ZOM 18 07 Resolution.pdf
ZOM 18 07 Staff Report.pdf
ZOM 18 07 Original Zoning Master Plan.pdf
ZOM 18 07 Revised Zoning Master Plan.pdf
ZOM 18 07 Application.pdf
Advisory Board Appointments
Poverty Reduction Advisory Board
The board appointed Amanda Brown to a term ending January 2011 as a Citizen from Non-profit
Organization.
The board appointed Jose Cuevas to a term ending January 2009 as a Citizen from Non-profit
Organization.
The board appointed Joyce LeBlanc to a term ending January 2011 as a Citizen from Faith-based
Organization.
The board appointed Alice Primack to a term ending January 2011 as a Citizen with a Disability.
The board appointed Deborah Rebmann to a term ending January 2011 as a Citizen 55 or Older.
The board appointed Lauria White to a term ending January 2009 as a Citizen from Faith-based
Organization.
The board appointed Laura Knudson as an Alachua Sheriff’s Office Representative with no term end date.
Local Planning Agency and Planning Commission
The board appointed Taylor Brown to a term ending July 2011 as a Building Industry-related.
Community Update
December 14, 2007
10
Let’s All Get Involved
Alachua County Advisory Boards
The Alachua County Commission is committed to citizen involvement on its
advisory boards and is soliciting applications for the following vacancies:
Alachua County Housing Authority: One TenantCommissioner, one Alternate Tenant-Commissioner;
both these positions require residency in public
housing or that applicants be on the Alachua County
Housing Authority’s Section 8 Voucher Program
Board of Adjustment: One citizen-at-large
CHOICES Health Services Advisory Board: One
Attorney (with expertise in health care); one CHOICES
Program Participant; one CHOICES Program Participant
(Alternate); one Representative - Alachua County
Medical Society, one Nurse
Citizens Disability Advisory Committee : Two citizensat-large
Code Enforcement: One Alternate
Community Development Block Grant Advisory
Committee: Four citizens-at-large, one alternate
Cultural and Environmental Funding Advisory
Board: One Alachua County resident alternate, one
Heritage organization member
Economic Development Advisory Board: Five
Citizens-at-large, one Alternate
Energy Conservation Strategies Commission:
One citizen possessing demonstrated expertise and/
or advanced training in the areas of demandside
management, LEED or Green Building Code standards,
renewable energy technologies or a related field
Health Care Board: Two community advocacy
group representatives, one Alachua County Dental
Association representative, one Health Care Consumer,
one Health Care Professional, one representative Alachua County Medical Society, one representative Columbia North Florida Regional Medical Center
Housing Finance Authority: One Citizen-at-large, one
Alternate
Poverty Reduction Advisory Board: One citizen
with disabilities, one low-income citizen, one citizenat-large Alternate, one organizational representative:
Alliance for Economic Development; one organizational
representative: Alachua League of Cities
Regional Transit System: One neighborhood/
homeowners association representative
Rural Concerns Advisory Board: One Alternate,
one from the Alachua County Agricultural Extension
Office, one from “Preserving Rural Property Values, Inc.,”
one from Univ. of FL Institute of Food & Agricultural
Services, one citizen with expertise in agriculture and/
or silviculture
Scenic Roads Advisory Board: One Alternate
Tourist Development Council: One Citizen-at-Large,
two Hotel Owner/Operators, one Elected Official
Veterans Service Advisory Board: One VFW
representative, one disabled American veteran
Fair Housing Human Rights Board: One lending
institution representative, one residential rental
manager
Get Involved
Click here for an application
Applications are also available at the County Manager’s Office on the Second
Floor of the County Administration Building, 12 SE 1st St., Gainesville. For more
information, call (352) 264-6904.