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NEWBERRY ‒ The City of Newberry at the Feb. 15 commission meeting annexed nearly 76 acres of unincorporated Alachua County into the Newberry city limits. Ordinance 2022-01 was approved to annex three contiguous properties, tax parcels numbers 04273-002-000, 04273-002-001 and 04273-002-002, totaling approximately 15.53 acres. Ordinance 2022-02 includes parcel 01840-002-001 and includes approximately 20.02 acres. Ordinance 2022-03 includes two contiguous properties consisting of tax parcels 02597- 000-000 and 02597-001-000 for a total of approximately 40.32 acres.

Commissioners also approved a change in the Future Land Use Map classification from Alachua County Rural/Agriculture to City of Newberry Agriculture on approximately 38.2 acres of land previously annexed into the City on Nov. 13, 2017. This action was taken following a legislative public hearing on second reading of Ordinance 2022-05/CPA 21-31. The subject property includes Tax Parcels 04443-000-000 and 04443-001-000, which are located on the south side of Southwest 30^th Avenue and east of Southwest 186^th Street.

Following approval of Ordinance 2022-05/CPA 21-31 on second reading, Commissioners heard Ordinance 2022-12/LDR 21-39 in a quasi-judicial public hearing and approved a zoning change from Alachua County Rural/Agriculture to City of Newberry Agricultural on the same two tax parcels.

Ordinance 2022-06/CPA 21-32 was approved to change the Future Land Use Map classification from Alachua County Rural/Agriculture to City of Newberry Agriculture on approximately two contiguous parcels totaling approximately 7.38 acres of land, which also had previously been annexed into the City on Nov. 13, 2017. This action was taken following a legislative public hearing on second reading of Ordinance 2022-06/CPA 21-32. The subject property includes Tax Parcels 02587-001-005 and 02587-000-007, which are located on the south side of Southwest 30th Avenue and east of Southwest 298th Street.

Following approval of Ordinance 2022-06/CPA 21-32 on second reading, Commissioners heard Ordinance 2022-13/LDR 21-40 in a quasi-judicial public hearing and approved a zoning change from Alachua County Rural/Agriculture to City of Newberry Agricultural on the same two tax parcels.

Ordinance 2022-08/CPA 21-34 was approved to change the future Land Use Map classification from Alachua County Rural/Agriculture to City of Newberry Agriculture on one parcel totaling approximately 4.27 acres. The property, which is located on the south side State Road-26/West Newberry Road, west of Southwest 174th Street, was annexed into the City on Nov. 13, 2017. This action was taken following a legislative public hearing on second reading of Ordinance 2022-08/CPA 21-34. The subject property includes Tax Parcel 04370-002-000.

Following approval of Ordinance 2022-08/CPA 21-34 on second reading, Commissioners heard Ordinance 2022-15/LDR21-42 in a quasi-judicial public hearing and approved a zoning change from Alachua County Rural/Agriculture to City of Newberry Agricultural on the same tax parcel.

The next City Commission meeting is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 28.

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NEWBERRY – Development of a small-scale rural event center on approximately 4.27 acres located approximately .25 mile west of the intersection of Newberry Road and 170^th Street is in the works.

The City’s Planning and Zoning Board voted to recommend approval of Resolution 2022-04/SE 22-03 to the Board of Adjustment (BOA). City officials anticipate it will be heard at the Feb. 28 meeting.

The Special Exception, if approved by the BOA will allow for the development of a small-scale rural event center on approximately 4.27 acres located approximately .25 mile west of the intersection of Newberry Road and 170^th Street.

Applicant Shabnam Rumpf-Monadizadeh, agent for Ecovibe, LLC, explained the myriad of possible uses of the property, which range from a nature trail, a beer garden/café, covered stage pavilion, vegetable and herb garden to food trucks and musical events. Rumpf-Monadizadeh said approximately 2/3 of the property will be used as an outdoor living room with movable seating for easy conversation.

Concern about noise, light pollution, parking and hours of operation were discussed. Although a suggestion to allow larger concert events three times a year was mentioned, that was not included in the motion to approve. What did seem to be included in the confusing motion was a recommendation that the Commission review the application again in one year. If no problems or concerns are brought up at that time, the recommendation is to extend the Special Exception another three or five years, depending on the wishes of the BOA.

Planning and Zoning Board members recommended that the Special Exception approval be attached to the applicant and the Board of Adjustment would decide if the Special Exception would transfer to a new owner at the point of sale.

In other business, Planning and Zoning Board members voted unanimously to recommend approval of Ordinance 2022-19/LDR 22-02, an application by the City of Newberry to amend the text of the Land Development Regulations to provide for electronic message signage at city-owned facilities, specifically City Hall.

Tabled was a change in the July meeting schedule to avoid the July 4^th holiday. This item will be addressed at the next meeting.

Principal Planner Wendy Kinser-Maxwell announced that she will be retiring from her position with the City on March 3, and this would be her last Planning and Zoning Board meeting.

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HIGH SPRINGS – Charles “Doc” Edward Williams, 79, High Springs, was arrested on Feb. 6 following an investigation in which it was discovered that he had solicited two individuals to clean out a house and dispose of the owner’s possessions without the owner’s permission.

The arrest followed an investigation in which High Springs Police Department (HSPD) patrol officer Nodarse noticed a suspicious vehicle parked at a residence at 23000 N.W. 182^nd Avenue in High Springs. The officer had prior knowledge that the current occupant of the home was incarcerated in a jail facility and was awaiting transport for long-term medical care.

According to the HSPD, Nodarse noticed the suspicious vehicle on Feb. 1 and made contact with an individual at the house, who said they had been hired to clean, paint and dispose of personal belongings inside the house, all without the victim’s knowledge or consent.

Williams had solicited Clarice Robinson and Eddie Russel, both of whom are also charged with exploitation of a disabled adult and scheming to defraud, to not only clean out the house, but also to pay the tax bill on the property and resume utilities at the house with the promise of letting them live in the home. Robinson and Russel discarded and burned most of the belongings inside the home and changed the locks.

Williams knew of the victim’s diminished mental capacity and was placed in a position of trust and confidence by the victim to care for the victim’s property and belongings.

Destroyed items included personal items, mattresses, clothing, photographs, artwork and furniture.

Williams has been released on his own recognizance with a GPS monitor. He also has a pending misdemeanor charge for selling beer without a license in June 2021. Williams was arrested in October on that charge and was also released on his own recognizance at that time.

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HIGH SPRINGS – In just their second season, the High Springs SwampBots (Team Frogman) came in third place out of 32 teams at the Lego League Panther Prowl Qualifier at Palatka High School on Saturday, Feb. 5. “This is a remarkable feat for local coaches and participants,” said High Springs Parks and Recreation Director Damon Messina.

The objective of SwampBots is to have robots, which are built by the teams, do runs for a period of time. “This is another avenue for children to express themselves creatively,” said Messina. “It’s not only children building robots, but also robots building children.”

There are several teams in Alachua County, and two of those teams are from High Springs and Alachua that partner with the City of High Springs Parks and Recreation Department. Each team consists of eight to 10 kids. The teams practice two to three times a week in the multi-purpose rooms of the old school building behind City Hall. The season is August to February/March each year. Children from fourth to eighth grades are eligible to participate free of charge.

The organization is funded by a grant from the Alachua County Children’s Trust. All funds go toward the registrations, programming, equipment (Lego robotic set), computers, coaches’ stipend, league and tournament fees.

Based on the third-place results, the teams may go on to play in a Southeast Regional competition. Messina said he is grateful to the Alachua County Children’s Trust for their consistent contribution, to President of SwampBots, Ben Sanders for his dedication to the program, and to the High Springs Parks and Recreation Board for advocating the program.

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HIGH SPRINGS ‒ On a chilly Feb. 12 morning, 50 runners gathered at the High Springs Civic Center to compete in the aptly named 5K Frozen Foot Race. The 3.1 mile run winds through the High Springs Sports Complex, around Bailey Estates and back into town with varying terrains and elevation changes.

Runners were divided by age and gender into eight groups, with competitors in both male and female categories starting at ages 1 to 18; 18-39; 40-49 and finishing with over 50 years old. Younger kids accompanied their parents in strollers.

The event was started in 2016 by the City of High Springs Parks Department to raise money for improvements at City owned parks. All proceeds go to the department’s budget to purchase playground equipment and facility improvements at area parks. The race has garnered support and sponsorship from other groups as well, including the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe and the High Springs Police and Fire departments. Additional organization sponsoring this year’s event were AAA Porta Serve, Florida Credit Union, McDonalds and Start To Finish Race Management.

The event has grown each year, although the event was canceled last year due to the pandemic, and this year’s event was scaled down with fewer activities than previous races. High Springs CRA director David Sutton says the City is working toward reestablishing the event next year and expand it with children's activities, bounce houses and food trucks.

With the City's recent purchase of the Canoe Outpost on the Santa Fe River, the future may bring a triathlon of sorts that would include a bike ride to the river, a swim and then back to the Civic Center for the footrace.

This past Saturday, at 9 a.m., runners started on the 3.1-mile course, and 21 minutes and 36 seconds later the overall winner, Tim Guinn, crossed the finish line. Female winner Jessica Frey crossed the finish line three minutes later. Both were also the winners in the 18-49 age category.

Awards are given for the top three runners in each group who completed the course. Hudson Williams and Eisley Moore were the winners in the 1 – 18 age category. The winners of the 40-49 category were Spencer- Smith Corbett and Carol Ellis. High Springs Police Chief Antione Shepard finished third in the 40-49 category. In the Senior category of 50 – 98, winners were Thomas Story and Sally Chappell.

Two runners not receiving awards were High Springs Fire Department Lt. Kevin Pearson and Deputy Chief Andy Burkhalter who ran the 3.1-mile course in full turnout gear and on-air, which is similar to a SCUBA tank, in just 41 minutes. The combined weight of the gear and air pack comes in at over 60 pounds.

“This is what we would wear to an actual fire, so doing it for the marathon was good practice to stay fit,” said Burkhalter. “We wanted to challenge ourselves and always be physically prepared for an actual emergency and this was a cause that benefits the community as well with funding for our parks.”

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ALACHUA ‒ The Alachua City Commission Monday considered the final plat for Savannah Station 2C subdivision located north of Savannah Station Phase I and Pilot Forest subdivisions, west of the Shady Lane Acres and Interstate 75, and east of Northwest County Road 235. Phase 2C is the final portion of the already established subdivision.

Property developer and owner, Gloria's Way, is requesting to add 43 lots on a 9.3-acre plot, with associated right-of-way and common areas. The preliminary plat for Savannah Station Phase II was originally approved by the City Commission on Feb.12, 2019 and allowed for up to 180 houses with a maximum of four house per acre.

This request for the last part of the project is distinct from what has already been developed. As part of the approval the City would receive an irrevocable letter of credit from Gloria’s Way, LLC in the amount of $1,397,528 as the surety instrument for infrastructure improvements, other than sidewalks. The City would also accept a letter of credit from Gloria’s Way, LLC for $116,483 as the surety instrument for sidewalks.

Development of Savannah Station 2C involves removal of trees, that in accordance with the City’s Land Development Regulations (LDRs), requires replacement mitigation of those trees. The number of trees proposed for removal would require 873 replacement trees to be planted. The approved Construction Plans for Savannah Station Phase 2B and 2C propose to provide a total of 48 replacement trees on-site. The remainder would be planted elsewhere as off-site mitigation in accordance with the City’s LDRs.

Off-site mitigation trees may be planted in City-owned properties and parks, City rights-of-way, preservation or conservation areas owned by the City, and within medians and rights-of-way of State and County roads The cost for tree replacement and off-site mitigation must be paid by the developer prior to the start of construction on the final Phase 2C. The required payment for the off-site mitigation will amount to $128,434.

In other business, students from Irby Elementary School were recognized by the City Commission. The students currently have their artwork, “Fall Trees,” on display in the lobby of City Hall. Six students attended the meeting with their parents and were presented with a certificate by Mayor Gib Coerper and their picture taken with the full Commission.

In a related school matter, School Crossing Guard Appreciation Day is recognized annually throughout Florida. Crossing guards are vigilant at keeping students safe from harm as they monitor intersections and assist students cross roadways on school days. In recognition of school crossing guards in Alachua, Coerper read a proclamation officially declaring Feb. 4 as Crossing Guard Appreciation Day. He said that the proclamation is a gesture of gratitude for those who dedicate their service by ensuring the safety of children as they commute to and from school. Alachua Chief of Police Jesse Sandusky commended crossing guards for their invaluable service and dedication to the children of the community.

Alachua is scheduled to receive an estimated $33,507 through a potential settlement over opioid litigation. On April 13, 2021 the City received a letter from the Office of the State of Florida Attorney General regarding ongoing opioid litigation between the State and a number of defendants. The letter provided an update regarding the litigation and potential settlement for damage caused by opioid addiction.

The City Commission adopted a resolution authorizing Alachua County to act on behalf of the City to maximize any recovery from the litigation. The State has now reached a settlement with two companies. Both settlements are estimated to provide a combined total of $33,507 to the City of Alachua over an 18-year payout horizon. Funds received by the City are to be used for strategies, programming and services used to expand the availability of treatment for individuals impacted by substance abuse disorders, including education/awareness activities.

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