Building Dept. Reorganization Soon

Despite five of twenty-four agenda items being postponed, the May 16 Commission meeting lasted nearly four hours. The most unusual agenda item was a proposed reorganization of the City's Building Department. Recently reelected Commissioners Paul Oliver and Vanessa Edmunds were sworn in and reappointed Mayor and Vice Mayor respectively. All other appointed City officials were also reappointed as a group. LPA Chair Greg Lang explained the rationales for his group's recommendation of four new ordinances. He also reported on the continuing revision of maps for the Comprehensive Plan revision. Under Administrative Items, Mayor Oliver was authorized to reply to a petition by Nancy Acres Preservation Association regarding the Anchor Hole aquaculture parking lot.

Community Redevelopment Director Jackie Gorman announced that Building Official Bob Niffenegger will be retiring very soon. She recommended outsourcing all permitting services to Capri Engineering and hiring a Code Enforcement Officer. Capri Engineering will provide services for 1.5% of the estimated cost of construction. Gorman estimated that the reorganization plan would save the City $10,000 (per year).

LPA Chair Greg Lang described and recommended passage of four ordinances proposed by the Moratorium Committee. They were: 1. Entering minor replat boundaries in Levy County records. 2. Prohibiting curb cuts on downtown Second Street. 3. Removing exclusion of easements from determination of land area. 4. Allowing City officials to declare a State of Emergency under disaster conditions. All the proposed ordinances were passed unanimously in a period of ten minutes. Lang also reported that the maps associated with the revision of the Comprehensive Plan have been scrutinized and forwarded to the planners who are preparing the revision.

Two unusual items under Administrative Items occupied the final minutes of the meeting. Commissioner Edmunds called attention to a new Levy County program that allows citizens to have a free prescription drug discount card good at many pharmacies in the County. (See accompanying article.) The final item addressed t petition by the Nancy Acres Preservation Association in protest of amendments of the City's Land Development Regulations. The petition alleges that various aspects of the now-gated formerly public boat ramp at the east end of Hodges Avenue harm property owners in the Nancy Acres subdivision. Based on an analysis and recommendation by City Attorney David Coffey, the Commission authorized Mayor Oliver to reply to the petition saying that the Commission has found its position consistent with the policies of the Comprehensive Plan.

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