Leon Commission Meeting Briefs: November 19, 2024

Below are the news briefs from the Leon County Commission meeting held on November 19, 2024.

The Board approved Consent Items 1-11, 13-17.

Consent Items Pulled for Discussion

Agenda Item 12, pulled by Commissioner Proctor:  The Board voted 6-1 (Proctor against) to approve an Off-System Agreement with FDOT for the construction of the Springhill Road Bridge over Munson Slough, authorizing the County Administrator to execute the agreement in a form approved by the County Attorney, and consenting and authorizing FDOT to do all acts necessary, including securing all environmental and regulatory permits, easements, temporary construction easements, and rights of entry associated with the project.

General Business

Agenda Item 18: The Board voted unanimously to ratify the actions taken at the October 22, 2024, Workshop on Leon County’s Purchasing Policy and adopt the proposed revisions to Leon County Policy No. 96-1, “Purchasing Policy”.

Agenda Item 19: The Board voted unanimously to ratify the actions taken by the Board at the October 22, 2024, Workshop on the 2025 State and Federal Legislative Priorities. The Board also voted unanimously to approve the Budget Amendment in the amount of $40,000 for the issuance of a Request for Proposals seeking additional state lobbying services for the 2025 State Legislative Session.

Agenda Item 20: The Board voted unanimously to award an Agreement for the provision of public relations services to The Zimmerman Agency, LLC and authorize the County Administrator to execute the Agreement and any amendments thereto, subject to legal review by the County Attorney. The Board also voted unanimously to approve awarding an Agreement for the provision of digital marketing and advertising services to The Zimmerman Agency, LLC and authorize the County Administrator to execute the Agreement and any amendments thereto, subject to legal review by the County Attorney.

Agenda Item 21: The Board voted unanimously to appoint one eligible applicant, Michelle Personette, to the tourism industry seat on the Tourist Development Council for a four-year term ending October 31, 2028.  The Board agreed to waive the conflicting employment relationship disclosed on Form 4A by a two-thirds affirmative vote.

Public Hearings

Agenda Item 22: The Board voted unanimously to conduct the first and only public hearing and adopt the Resolution to abandon the platted, unimproved 0.18-acre portion of Singleton Drive Right of Way (ROW). The subdivision borders Cascade Lake and is contiguous with the northern boundary of the Tallahassee International Airport.  The property owner (Ms. Covington) adjacent to the south of the ROW submitted an application requesting the County disclaim and renounce any right of the unimproved portion of the ROW. The referenced 0.18-acre portion of ROW is unimproved, has not been used for access since the 1970’s, serves no current nor foreseeable public purpose for any infrastructure need, and abandonment will have no impact to County services.

Agenda Item 23:  The Board voted unanimously to direct staff to amend the proposed ordinance based on the recommendations of Commissioner Proctor and schedule another public hearing. The proposed ordinance amends Section 6-32 of Chapter 6 of the Leon County Code (LCC), relating to Hearing Procedure, Section 6-34 of Chapter 6 of the LCC, relating to Administrative Fines and Liens, and Section 14-56 of Chapter 14 of the LCC, relating to appeals. Commissioner Proctor voiced concerns about the level of penalties related to code enforcement violations.