CR 236 Residential Property Owners Remain Concerned, Alcohol Sales Changes Put on Back Burner

HIGH SPRINGS ‒ City Commissioners voted to revise language in the Utility District ordinance, heard on first reading during the March 9 meeting, to remove the requirement that property owners along County Road 236 hook up to City water and sewer lines. This action was in response to rumors that the City of High Springs is attempting to force CR 236 residential property owners to hook up at a cost that one woman said would be $12,000 - $15,000.

The proposed ordinance change removes the requirement that residential property owners hook up to City utility lines.

City Manager Ashley Stathatos and Assistant City Manager Bruce Gillingham stressed that even if residential property owners’ septic tanks failed, the County Health Department would not require those property owners to mandatorily hook up to City lines.

“Connection is voluntary for any property owner who would like to hook up. However, multi-family [apartment complexes] and commercial uses are required to connect and abide by the City’s ordinances as they pertain to water and wastewater,” Stathatos said.

This proposed ordinance was put forth primarily for discussion and direction to staff to include the proposed changes in the Utility District ordinance, scheduled for discussion at the April 13 Commission meeting.

Alcohol Sales

The Commission considered lifting of restrictions on off-premises package sales and on-premises consumption of alcoholic beverages.

Concerns expressed by citizens included an increase in drunk drivers, crashes, DUI arrests, deaths on the roadways and drunks stumbling through people’s yards and vomiting, etc.

Reasons to consider the change included restaurants serving Sunday brunch to be able to serve mimosas and other alcoholic beverages, people going to the springs would be able to buy beer at Winn Dixie and other jiffy stores rather than driving to Alachua to buy alcohol, increased support for small businesses in the city and increased traffic for business owners on Sundays.

Following discussion Police Chief Antoine Sheppard was asked to consult with Alachua’s police department and other policing agencies to determine if there is an increase in crime or drunk driving because of relaxed alcohol sales. No decision was made on this issue at this meeting.

Solid Waste

In an about face, the Commission has rescinded a resolution which approved the termination of the solid waste franchise agreement with GFL Solid Waste Southeast LLC, opting instead to approve Resolution 2023-E authorizing the City Manager to execute an Agreement to mutually terminate the solid waste franchise agreement between the City and GFL.

The termination date of the agreement is May 1, 2023. The parties agree that GFL shall retrieve all their carts, containers, bins and dumpsters on or before May 7.

Appointments

The City received a resignation from Plan Board member John Walsh, creating a vacant seat set to expire in 2024. An application was received from Richard “Mark” Bertocci for the seat, and the Commission appointed him to fill the vacant position.

The Commission also voted to appoint former City Commissioner Sue Weller as liaison to the High Springs Chamber of Commerce. In the past, other commissioners had appointed themselves as liaison. However, this is the first time the Commission formally appointed an individual to the position.

EJI

The Equal Justice Initiative, “EJI”, Community Remembrance Project, collaborates with communities to memorialize documented victims of racial violence and foster meaningful dialogue about race and justice. The High Springs Subcommittee Chairperson Veloria Kelly provided an overview of the organization and what they are doing.

Kelly invited City Commissioners, staff and citizens to participate in a Soil Collection Ceremony at 10 a.m. on April 22 at Catherine Taylor Park, 18100 Douglas Street. She also explained that they are looking for quilters to help work on Remembrance Quilts. Anyone interested in either of these projects or participation in any EJI events can contact her online at truth.alachuacounty.us.

Other City Business

In other City business, edits to the Commission Orientation Guide were discussed briefly. Gillingham said this was something that had been started earlier, but went by the wayside as other important issues were addressed. This is an attempt to get this back on the front burner to help incoming City Commissioners understand how the City operates.

Discussion on providing sponsorship money to the High Springs Robotics Team ended with a vote to provide $2,500 to the group out of the Commission’s Promotional Activities line item. The money will go towards the team’s participation in an invitational competition in Long Beach, California. To date $14,250 in donations has been raised for the trip.

Commissioners were asked to provide a list of items they would like to have included on the April 20 agenda for the joint meeting between the City and Alachua County Board of County Commissioners.

Commissioner Byran Williams announced they had 28 volunteers for the recent Farm Share distribution in High Springs. They fed 331 households and 1,121 individuals during that event.

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