Local

WALDO ‒ Waldo Mayor Louie Davis has been recognized with the Florida League of City’s “Mayor John Land Years of Service Award” for his 40 years of service to the City of Waldo as a council member and mayor.

This award recognizes elected officials' years of service, and according to the Florida League of Cities (FLC), America’s municipal governments have long relied upon the unselfish leadership of their citizens for local self-government, and Florida’s municipal governments share the time-honored role as the level of government closest to the people, this reliance places extraordinary responsibilities upon elected officials – who make significant sacrifices of their time and energies on behalf of their citizenry, making this commitment a true labor of love.

The FLC honors municipal leaders who strive for excellence in the governance of their city and commit themselves to providing quality services, governing effectively and working to improve the quality of life. The award is in honor of John Land, the Mayor of Apopka for 65 years between 1949 and 2014 and who, according to the FLC, was a leader whose dedication was unsurpassed at the national and state levels and who modeled the way for decades of municipal leaders.

In addition to recognition by the Florida League of Cities, Davis was also recognized by the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council (NCFRPC) at their meeting on May 23, 2024, in Gainesville. Davis has served many terms on the NCFRPC Board, serving as chair and vice-chair over the years.

Davis’ is recognized for his service that extends beyond the City of Waldo. His active participation on various boards, including serving as Chair, and his efforts to represent Waldo from Tallahassee to Washington, DC, and beyond, have been invaluable. His efforts have not only saved the City of Waldo significant costs but also fostered strong relationships with state legislators, which have had a positive impact on Waldo and Alachua County.

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ALACHUA ‒ This past weekend, the City of Alachua’s Recreation & Culture Department and District 5 hosted the highly anticipated first round of All-Star play for youth ages 4 to 15. The event, held across multiple venues including the Hal Brady Recreation Complex, the baseball park at downtown Skinner Field, and Preacher Copland Field at Progress Park, saw participation from over 40 teams.

These teams hailed from various areas, including Alachua/High Springs, Newberry, Palatka, Bradford, Chiefland, Gainesville, Wriggly, Williston, Keystone, Melrose, Bronson, and Archer.

The tournament was marked by sportsmanship, teamwork, and dedication, leaving a lasting impression on participants and spectators alike. The local volunteers, coaches, and officials played a crucial role in ensuring the smooth execution of the event and in creating unforgettable memories for all involved. Congratulations and best of luck to the teams advancing to the Florida State Championship Round.

In addition to the sports festivities, the City of Alachua also organized a trip for its senior citizens. Last week, a group of the city’s golden agers embarked on an enriching journey to St. Augustine, Florida. The trip, which included lunch, sightseeing, strolling, shopping, and bonding, was a resounding success, thanks to the assistance and coordination of Crafty Gemini. This initiative is part of the city’s ongoing efforts to provide quarterly adventures for local senior citizens.

Looking ahead, the City of Alachua is set to offer more exciting recreational opportunities. The 399 Sports & Recreation Basketball Academy will be hosting two three-week sessions, promising a mix of fun, skill-building, and competitive games for young basketball enthusiasts. Additionally, on June 22, the Legacy Park Multipurpose Center will host the Saucy Elite Basketball Camp, featuring two-time Gainesville Sun Player of the Year Don’Trell Jenkins and other local basketball legends. These events aim to nurture young talent and provide enriching experiences for the community.

For more information on upcoming activities and programs, residents can contact the City of Alachua’s Recreation & Culture Department at recreation@cityofalachua.org or call the Legacy Multipurpose Center at 386-454-0145. Those interested in the basketball camp can reach out to 399 Sports & Recreation via email at 399sportsrecreation@gmail.com.

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HIGH SPRINGS ‒ On Thursday, June 6, 2024, the City of High Springs hosted a joint meeting between the City Commission and the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC). The meeting was led by High Springs Mayor Katherine Weitz and BoCC Chair Mary Alford, focusing on topics such as infrastructure and youth literacy.

Mayor Weitz highlighted innovative programs to encourage youth literacy, such as High Springs Librarian Ann Lane’s therapy dog initiative, where children read to a therapy dog at the library. She also mentioned the positive impact of having a K-9 at schools, advocating for increased canine involvement with children. Former City Commissioner Sue Weller noted that the Gentle Carousel mini-horses had visited the High Springs Library the day before to promote reading among kids.

County Commissioner Anna Prizzia discussed the Children’s Trust and the University of Florida’s comprehensive literacy needs assessment program, designed to support both children and adults aiming to improve their reading skills. Commissioner Ken Cornell emphasized the Children’s Trust's commitment to smaller communities, while Commissioner Marihelen Wheeler elaborated on the Library Board’s Literacy Department for Adults and summer activities for kids.

The meeting then shifted to proposed updates on the City’s Infrastructure Surtax Partnership Projects. Mayor Weitz reported that the surtax funded six new pumps for the lift station and stressed the need for financing to manage effluent of a local subdivision, aiming to protect rivers from contamination. BoCC members suggested seeking funding from the water management district for the effluent return design.

The discussion also covered the Canoe Outpost and the property behind the River Rise boat ramp. The BoCC requested to see the City’s Parks Master Plan, which is nearing 75 percent completion with consultants, upon its conclusion.

The Rails-to-Trails project was also discussed with Commissioner Cornell noting progress in communication with CSX, indicating potential discussions about the project. He also recommended contacting Newberry to get involved.

Alachua County’s Jeff Hays addressed transportation projects, mentioning a $50,000 grant focused on safety and community engagement. He discussed a county-wide bicycle master plan supported by a $250,000 contribution from the Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization (MTPO). Although this program has been under the North Central Florida Planning Council (NCFPC) in the past, it may eventually come under the County's jurisdiction, benefiting the entire county.

Hays also outlined a Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) improvement program for resurfacing Highway 27/41 from Newberry to U.S. Highway 441, estimated to cost $11 million and scheduled for 2025-2026.

Alachua County Public Works Director Ramon Gavarrete reviewed various resurfacing and roadway projects in the High Springs area. Details on Alachua County Transportation Capital Improvement Program Projects for 2023 – 2032 are available on the Alachua County Public Works website. He said the County will be spending $252 million on roadways between 2023 – 2032 with $4 million in projects already completed.

City Commissioners raised concerns about the lack of a light at Poe Springs Road, noting that crash data had not been recorded in FDOT’s database, thus not prioritizing the area. Efforts are underway to correct this oversight, aiming for future safety improvements at the intersection. Mayor Weitz also called for stop signs on 237^th Street, and a residential city street.

City Commissioner Andrew Miller named Kevin Mangan, the City’s Public Information Officer, as his Employee of the Week.

The next City Commission meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 13, 2024.

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NEWBERRY ‒ Construction of a new City Hall, which has been on the minds of City Commissioners for some time, has moved one step closer to fruition with the 4 – 1 vote to authorize the issuance of $6.29 million in Capital Improvement Revenue Bonds, Series 2024 to generate proceeds to finance the project. Commissioner Mark Clark was in dissent.

The Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) for City Hall has come in at just over $8.5 million. “Staff will provide more GMP information at the June 10 meeting,” said Assistant City Manager/CFO Dallas Lee. Construction will be funded through the issuance of these bonds and the utilization of various reserve funds. The bonds will feature a 30-year level debt service amortization, with interest payments beginning on March 1, 2025, and principal payments beginning on September 1, 2025.

Commissioners want to get all staff under one roof to help citizens more easily conduct business with the City.

NC Ranch

The project known as NC Ranch Planned Development received approval on second reading of the ordinance at the May 28 City Commission meeting. Ordinance 2024-14/LDR 23-06 was introduced at the first public hearing on April 15and approved by majority vote.

The application from Patrice Boyes, Esq. and CHW Professional Consultants, agent, was on behalf of Norfleet Properties, LLLP; E.D. Norfleet & Sons, Inc.; E.D. Norfleet, Jr. and Phyllis Norfleet; E.D. Norfleet III; Katrina Bill; and, Norfleet Construction Co., owners. The application is to rezone property from Agricultural (A) to Planned Development (PD) for a project known as NC Ranch Planned Development.

The site is located west of US Highway 41 between Northwest 53^rd Lane and Northwest 10^th Avenue and consists of approximately 1,293 acres. The petition proposes 4,500 dwelling units, 700,000 square feet of non-residential uses, and 250 assisted living facility beds.

Highland Park

The project formerly known as Newberry Plaza was heard by resolution to adopt the planned development construction plans for the non-residential aspect of the development. The application was made by CHW Professional Consultants, agent on behalf of Newberry Plaza LLC, owner.

Commissioner Mark Clark recused himself from any Highland Park-related issue as he is in negotiation to purchase a house on the same property.

When this item was heard by the Planning and Zoning Board, they suggested a number of conditions for approval. The Commission agreed with their suggestions. Conditions include: a traffic signal required prior to fueling station and/or 72,000 square feet of commercial property; wastewater lines to be made eight feet deep to 12 feet deep and making the lift station larger; fair share contributions for improvements to adjacent intersections; pioneering agreement required for oversizing of wastewater lines and upgrade of lift station; easement agreement for wastewater lines; and transfer fee-simple east 40 feet of section line right-of-way (code required).

City Manager Mike New said that Publix, the City and Alachua County had previously agreed to pay a portion of the cost of installing the traffic signal.

Representing CHW Professional Consultants, Gerry Dedenbach was on hand to explain that they had already agreed to pay a portion of the cost of the traffic signal as well. Following lengthy discussions, both Dedenbach and Henry Fortes said they would pay any additional costs required to install the traffic signal.

In a second action regarding Highland Park, Resolution 2024-17/SD 24-07 unanimously approved a preliminary plat of all residential phases included in the Newberry Plaza Planned Development for 350 detached single-family residential lots.

Although the residential phases were originally set at seven, the developer wanted to reduce that number to two phases to attract national builders to the project. Dedenbach said national builders want to do 90 – 100 residences. Had the Commission agreed to reduce the phases from seven to two, Phase I would have included 193 developable lots and Phase II would have included 157 developable lots. Also, one additional through street connection was added to the southern properties. The Gray residence, to be purchased by Commissioner Clark, was removed from the platted area of residential properties.

Concern was raised by Commissioner Tim Marden that 75 homes per year would work best with the number of staff available to review plans, etc. Commissioner Rick Coleman said he wanted local builders and not national builders, who tend to build fast and then disappear.

Once again the Planning and Zoning Board recommended stipulations: sidewalks on both sides of the street, a good-faith effort to preserve trees on-site, provide sufficient shade trees throughout the residential areas, provide traffic calming throughout the residential area, voluntarily offer limitations to the number of new home constructions per year and/or per phase and increase the number of phases to a number greater than two and closer to seven.

SW 4^th Avenue Turn Lane

Commissioners authorized the City Manager to execute a contract with O’Steen Brothers, Inc. to construct the Southwest 4^th Avenue turn lane modifications for $305,431 and to authorize the City Manager to authorize change orders up to 10 percent of the contract amount.

The project scope is the addition of left turn lane for westbound traffic on Southwest 4^th Avenue onto U.S. Highway 27/41. The project was estimated to cost $180,000 originally, but project bid amounts came in at $305,000 - $715,000. The project is to be construction from June 1 – Aug. 1 to avoid school times. Staff indicated funding for the project was included in the approved Fiscal Year 2023 – 2024 budget.

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NEWBERRY ‒ Newberry City Commissioners honored Director of Planning and Economic Development Bryan Thomas during the May 28, 2024, City Commission meeting for his 10 years of service to the Newberry community. Newberry Mayor Jordan Marlowe read a proclamation into the record to thank Thomas for his service and to honor him by declaring June 3, 2024, as Bryan Thomas Day in Newberry.

During his career in Newberry, which began Jan. 1, 2014, Thomas has worn many hats in service to the community. He began by serving in the City of Newberry Planning Department and has since served as the Director of Planning and Economic Development.

“He has been instrumental in helping the City Commission, Development Application Review Team, Planning and Zoning Board, the Historic Architectural Review Board, and many developers in their discussions of planning, land use, historic preservation, economic development, and many other issues that affect the City of Newberry and its residents,” said Marlowe.

A few of his accomplishments include the creation of the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), streamlining of the development process, establishment of the gateway corridor standards, the creation of the Economic Development Steering Committee, and much more.

“Bryan’s service extends well beyond the Planning Department and he is well respected by the community,” said Marlowe. “Bryan has built cooperative relationships with residents, other government organizations, community groups, local non-profits, Newberry businesses, design and development professionals and other members of the community,” Marlowe said.

He commended Thomas as a hard-working and dedicated public servant, at all times committed to helping the Newberry community and administering planning regulations with a sense of fairness; and has provided invaluable leadership and guidance on many significant projects.

“On behalf of the entire City Commission, I want to express our sincere appreciation to Bryan for his loyalty to the City of Newberry and wish him much happiness as he begins this exciting new chapter in his life,” Marlowe said.

Marlowe finished by proclaiming Monday, June 3, 2024, as Bryan Thomas Day in the City of Newberry. He urged all residents and employees to join with the City Commission in congratulating Thomas on an outstanding career with the City of Newberry and wished him many continued years of happiness and good health.

Asked what Thomas has planned after his lengthy career with the City of Newberry, he remarked that he wanted to take some much needed “R & R” for the moment.

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L-R: Carolyn Waters, High Springs Garden Club President Claudia Wolfson, Kathy Fowler and Bob Fowler.

HIGH SPRINGS ‒ The High Springs Garden Club has the honor of choosing Bob and Kathy Fowler for our “Yard of the Season.”

Their love of plants and gardening is reflected in their manicured yard. You can drive by and see the yard at 18786 240^th Street, St High Springs. 

The Garden Club will be choosing another beautiful yard in the fall.

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