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NEWBERRY – The Newberry Board of Adjustment (BOA) was convened on Monday, June 24, 2024, following the Newberry City Commission meeting. Board members heard evidence in a Quasi-Judicial hearing on a site and development plan for Newberry City Hall.

Newberry Principal Planner Jean-Paul Perez presented his findings regarding the site and development plan. After reviewing the plan, a motion was made by Board Member Tony Mazon, seconded by Mark Clark, to approve the 15,000 square foot office space that will become Newberry’s future City Hall.

Board members unanimously agreed to approve the site and development plan.

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Veterans attending an Adaptive Sports Program event at the north shore of Lake Wauburg in Micanopy, where Veterans were able to take part in paddle boarding, kayaking, pedal boating, and canoeing, June 12, 2024, pose for a group photo at the end of the day’s activities / Photo special to Alachua County Today

GAINESVILLE ‒ Veterans recently gathered at Lake Wauburg's north shore in Micanopy for a day of aquatic sports designed to boost their independence, well-being, and quality of life. Organized by the Adaptive Sports Program (ASP) of the Veterans Health System (NF/SG-VHS), the event offered paddle boarding, kayaking, pedal boating, and canoeing. These activities aim to enhance cardiovascular endurance and muscle strength, underscoring the program’s commitment to improving physical and mental health among Veterans with a disability or a senior Veteran age 55 or older.

The North Florida / South Georgia Veterans Health System (NF/SG-VHS) offers countless programs to Veterans throughout North Florida and South Georgia, including ASP. The ASP hosted the sports day where Veterans were able to take part in paddle boarding, kayaking, pedal boating, and canoeing, June 12, 2024. These activities were designed to increase cardiovascular endurance as well as strengthen lower and upper body muscles.

The ASP partners with the NF/SG-VHS Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), which helps fund multi-day clinics for Veterans 55 and older to introduce them to various sports for a week at various locations. As more and more Veterans have learned about the ASP, as many as 25 Veterans have gone on to compete in the Golden Age Games while participating and training in the weekly events that NF/SG-VHS hosts in Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Lake City and Gainesville.

“We have found that our Veterans that are receiving this benefit of adaptive sports, recreation and leisure vastly improved their quality of life,” said Katie Blunk, the Adaptive Sports Coordinator for NF/SG-VHS. “And to really demonstrate to the Veteran that they don’t ever have to say that ‘they can’t do something’ when it comes to their physical well-being, we will show them exactly how they can.”

The encouragement of competing and realizing they can participate in these activities is a true testament that Veterans of all ages are able to defy any of their limitations. Through ASP activities, Veterans have improved their individual health, physical wellness, teamwork, empowered leadership, improved self-confidence, and camaraderie.

One such Veteran, Erich Brockmoeller, a former U.S. Marine Corps non-commissioned officer, expressed that he was turned onto the ASP after experiencing a self-isolation phase in life. Participating in the program has helped Erich realize he was not alone. There are many Veterans just like Brockmoeller, and he encourages all disabled Veterans to take part and experience the rewards of the program.

“The connections I made have been monumental, not to mention the physical and mental health of being involved in the adaptive sports program,” said Brockmoeller. “Go one time! Give it a try. One time has turned into more times and now I go multiple times a week.”

An additional benefit of the ASP has been creating or inventing adaptive sports equipment for Veterans to utilize in order to return to their favorite sport. Specialized rehabilitation events have been created with an aim to optimize Veterans’ independence, community engagement, well-being, and quality of life. The programs are built on clinical expertise within the VA, with essential support from Veteran Service Organizations, corporate sponsors, individual donors, and community partners.

Grant programs for ASP are essential for the program. Through these grant programs, various organizations have come together to increase and expand the quantity and quality of sustainable adaptive sports activities that Veterans can participate in to treat mental health, physical injuries, and sustain a healthy lifestyle.

“Adaptive sports in general strives to remove barriers to allow Veterans to engage in activities that bring well-being on physical, mental, and spiritual levels,” said Dr. Carmen Fernandez, the Associate Director for the GRECC at NF/SG-VHS. “The GRECC promotes advances in geriatric care, and we are fortunate to be here to assist the ASP in this endeavor.”

The Veterans participating in the activities all had a great experience enhancing their physical fitness and connecting with their fellow Veterans. The NF/SG-VHS ASP and GRECC staff ensured their day was filled with world-class health care, physical and mental motivation, safety, and camaraderie that these Veterans value and hold dear.

The next multi-day Adaptive Sports Clinic with the GRECC is scheduled for Sept. 17-20, 2024. Veterans with a disability or who are 55 and older should request their primary care provider to place a consult for adaptive sports to receive an application for participation. The deadline for applying is Aug. 16, 2024.

For more information on the Adaptive Sports Program, visit Adaptive Sports | VA North Florida/South Georgia Health Care | Veterans Affairs or VA National Veterans Sports Programs.

For more information on the NF/SG-VHS, visit VA North Florida/South Georgia Health Care | Veterans Affairs.

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HIGH SPRINGS ‒ The High Springs City Commission on June 13, 2024, approved extending the date for a workshop on the Bridlewood development project. Initially scheduled for June 18, the workshop will be rescheduled to accommodate the developer's staff availability. The new date will be advertised once confirmed.

In other business, the Commission set the 2024 City Commission election date for Seat #4 and Seat #5 for Nov. 5, 2024. The qualifying period for candidates is July 22 at 7:30 a.m. to July 25 at 6 p.m. Interested parties should contact the City Clerk for more information.

High Springs residents will likely not be seeing an increase in the Fire Services Assessment in the coming year. The City Commission unanimously approved the preliminary resolution for the Fire Services Assessment for the year beginning Oct. 1, 2024 at $781,894. Residential properties will be charged $223. Non-residential property use categories will be assessed by the square foot (capped at 40,000 square feet). Commercial rates are assessed at $0.09 sq. ft., Industrial/Warehouse rates are assessed at $0.02 sq. ft. and Institutional properties are charged at $0.16 sq. ft. The resolution establishing the final assessment will be heard at the July 25, 2024, meeting at 6:30 p.m.

In other business, the Commission approved a request by Josh Highlander of Rise Construction Services to begin pouring concrete earlier than usual for the Life Spring Church project. Highlander requested that concrete trucks begin arriving on the property at 4 a.m. as it will take 10 – 15 truckloads of concrete for the Life Spring Church project. Given the location’s distance from neighboring properties, early morning deliveries are not expected to cause disturbances.

The Commission also approved the sale of a rarely used fire department boat and an inoperable sewer department vacuum truck, with proceeds returning to their respective budgets. Commissioners authorized the two items to be surplused so they could be sold. The first item was a boat the Fire Department purchased for water rescue. The Fire Chief said there is only seven hours on the motor so it hasn’t been used much. The boat will be sold as is. Funds from the sale of the boat will be returned to the Fire Department budget. The second item surplused was a vacuum truck owned by the sewer department. The item was purchased in July 2022 from Lake City for $8,000. The equipment has not been operable since the purchase and repairs are not cost effective. Funds from the sale of the truck will be returned to the Sewer Department’s budget.

In other matters, following a presentation by the Alachua County Fire Marshal, the Commission unanimously approved a site plan for Air Liquide to replace a building damaged in the April 4, 2023 explosion that injured multiple workers. The global manufacturer of industrial gas will replace the destroyed building with two new structures at 17526 High Springs Main Street. The item was reviewed on May 20 by the Plan Board, which recommended approval in a 5 – 0 vote.

The Commission also approved a lease agreement allowing Boy Scout Troop #69 to hold meetings at 19460 N.W. U.S. Highway 441 for $10 per year. The lease will automatically renew annually unless terminated with 30 days’ notice.

Turning to the status of the Priest Theater, City Manager Jeremy Marshall proposed that a committee be formed to oversee repairs to the structure. Committee members will include Marshall, Public Works Director Allan Alligood and Commissioner Andrew Miller.

In light of upcoming holidays that may conflict with previously scheduled meeting dates, the Commission has adjusted several meeting dates to Sept. 12 and 23, Nov. 14 and 21, and Dec. 12

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ARCHER – A 29-year-old Archer man is being held in jail without bond after his arrest. On Wednesday, June 19, 2024, Lyndon Bernard Boykins III was charged with burglary with battery, interfering with the custody of a minor, child abuse without great bodily harm, and battery after allegedly taking a baby from a home without permission, shaking it to prevent the baby’s mother from taking the child and battering two women who tried to stop him from taking the baby.

Boykins allegedly went to the home of a former girlfriend at about 7:28 p.m. without being invited. He allegedly entered her unlocked residence, picked up a baby and left with the baby. The responding Alachua County Sheriff’s deputy noted that the baby is Boykins’ biological child, but he does not have custody of the baby and does not live at the residence.

When the baby’s mother learned that Boykins had taken her child, she ran outside, but when he saw her, he allegedly began violently shaking the baby to prevent her from taking the baby. A second woman came to assist the baby’s mother at which point Boykins allegedly punched her in the face. The baby’s mother reportedly took the baby from Boykins, but he allegedly pushed her as she was trying to take the baby from him.

Witnesses reportedly said that Boykins shook the child so violently that the child’s unsupported head “flopped” from side to side, and the witnesses were concerned that the shaking would injure the baby. Witnesses reportedly told the responding deputy that the baby’s mother made multiple verbal requests to Boykin to return her baby before she physically took the baby.

The deputy reported that the baby and the mother sustained no visible injuries.

Post Miranda, Boykins reportedly admitted that he went to the residence without being invited, entered without permission and stayed inside the residence for about 10 minutes before he took the baby and left. He said the baby’s mother attacked him when he was outside the residence. He reportedly had scratches on his arms and neck, but the deputy reported that they appeared to be several days old and had begun healing.

Boykins has two felony convictions, one of which was violent, and one misdemeanor conviction. He has served one state prison sentence and was released in 2012. He was sentenced to 36 months of probation in May of this year after entering a plea of nolo contendere to possession of MDPV, along with another drug possession charge and charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana were dropped.

Senior Judge Aymer “Buck” Curtin ordered him held without bail, pending a hearing on a motion by the State Attorney’s Office to hold him without bail until trial.

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ALACHUA ‒ This past Saturday, the Legacy Multipurpose Center in Alachua became the epicenter of celebration and community spirit as two significant events merged into one vibrant occasion. Hosted by the City of Alachua's Recreation & Culture Department, the day commemorated Juneteenth while also promoting youth engagement through sports and education.

The festivities kicked off with a partnership between 399 Sports & Recreation and several local organizations, including the Alachua Newnansville Subcommittee, Alachua County Remembrance Project, Faith in Florida, Combined Masons of Alachua County, and the A.L. Mebane Alumni Association. Together, they orchestrated a multifaceted celebration of Juneteenth.

Before, during and after the event, 399 and all-time great Santa Fe High School baller Don’Trell “Saucy” Jenkins and his team of local coaches provided a skills clinic for community youth.

The occasion drew a diverse crowd of participants and dignitaries, underscoring the unity and support within Alachua's Good Life Community. Among the notable attendees were Alachua City Manager Mike DaRoza, Mayor Gib Coerper, Vice Mayor Ed Potts, Commissioners Jennifer Ringerson and Shirey Green Brown, Alachua County Commissioner Chuck Chestnut IV, High Springs City Commissioner Byron Williams, Coach Rudy Rothseiden, Rodney Peterson, Brandon Wilson, and Horace Jenkins.

The collaborative effort showcased the power of combining public and private resources to deliver enhanced services and opportunities within the community. The Recreation & Culture Department expressed gratitude to all volunteers and partners involved, emphasizing that such events strengthen the community's foundation through celebration, progress, and service.

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NEWBERRY ‒ The Newberry City Commission on June 24, 2024, unanimously approved a ground lease agreement with LifeSoils LLC for a 15-acre site. This partnership aims to address the disposal of biosolids generated by the City's wastewater treatment facility through an innovative composting process.

The City’s wastewater treatment facility produces two bi-products: treated effluent and biosolids. Currently, the treated effluent is managed by applying it to the ground via a sprinkler system, allowing it to percolate into the soil. Biosolids, on the other hand, are applied to the land to be absorbed by grass vegetation, which is subsequently harvested as hay. However, new regulations concerning biosolids disposal necessitate a change in the City's current practices. These new disposal options are often costly and could significantly increase wastewater rates for residents.

LifeSoils LLC has developed a process for biosolids disposal that transforms them into a high-quality soil amendment and enhancer. The City of Newberry and LifeSoils LLC are now partnering to establish a composting facility in North Central Florida. “Newberry’s available land, and its supply of both yard waste and biosolids, make us a good candidate for this partnership,” said City Manager Mike New.

The ground lease agreement stipulates a 30-year term, with the possibility of renewing the agreement up to three times for additional 10-year periods. Additionally, the agreement requires a 36-month notice for termination.

In the absence of Mayor Jordan Marlowe, Mayor Pro-Tem Mark Clark ran the June 24, 2024 City Commission meeting.

In other City businesses, the Commission also unanimously approved conveyance of 1.03 acres of land from Gary Weseman, Manager, Tanglewood Properties of Gainesville LLC to the City of Newberry. The property is being sold to the City for $10 and will be used for the construction of a water tower.

Lead Service Line Inventory

Engineer Katherine VanZant addressed the Commission to explain that the Department of Environmental Protection is implementing a program that tests water pipes to determine if the pipes are lead. VanZant congratulated the City of Newberry for already starting this evaluation program; something which she said has not been started in many Florida cities.

The results of the assessment will be due in October of this year. With a little more than 500 properties left for the City to assess, “Newberry will easily meet the October deadline,” said VanZant.

Wastewater Plant Funding

The City Commission unanimously approved a change to the originally-approved line of credit for the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP).

The City is nearing the beginning of construction of the plant, which is funded through various grants and loans. The loans and grants are reimbursements, and after the payment is made, the City can request the reimbursement. This will require the City to float the cash between the payment and the reimbursement for 60 - 90 days. As the City does not have sufficient cash on hand, the City proposed entering into a construction line of credit to draw down funds to meet these cash requirements.

Staff engaged the City’s financial advisor (PFM) to prepare a request for proposals to provide the City with interim funding to pay costs related to utility projects eligible for State Revolving Fund reimbursement.

PFM distributed a request for proposals on March 6, to a list of local and regional financial institutions to identify the qualified financial institutions that could provide the City with a fixed (at draw) and/or variable rate line of credit at the lowest overall borrowing cost, according to certain conditions as determined by the City. On April 2, the City received two proposals from Seacoast Bank and Truist.

Staff recommended Seacoast Bank as the loan provider, and on April 22, 2024, the Commission adopted Resolution 2024-13 to enter into a loan agreement with Seacoast Bank.

After the Commission’s approval, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) requested that changes be made to the loan agreements. Negotiations resulted in lowering the line of credit from $20 million to $10 million and clarifying that system development fees are included as the pledged revenues and some other minor tweaks. Due to the change in the loan term the resolution must be brought back before the Commission for approval.

It is reported that Seacoast Bank has agreed to hold the terms the same as their original bid.

The next Newberry City Commission meeting will be held on July 8 at 7 p.m.

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