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HIGH SPRINGS ‒ A Conditional Use Permit allowing a prospective vape shop failed to pass the High Springs Plan Board Monday evening after officials and residents expressed concerns about the business’s proximity to the High Springs Civic Center Park.

Vape Dimensions, Inc., is to be located in the former Alice’s Parkside Restaurant location at 19358 N.W. U.S. Highway 441. The 0.52 +/- acre property is located directly across the street from the park at the High Springs Civic Center.

Store owner Daniel Deal was present to answer questions and discuss the purpose of his shop, which he said was to help people stop smoking. Deal said he is a 40-year resident of Alachua County and that the vape shop is a family-owned business. Deal opened a store in Alachua in 2016, one in Lake City in 2018 and a third in Gainesville in 2019.

Deal said store hours are proposed to be 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Friday-Saturdays. He said they card everyone who enters the shop and anyone under 21 years of age would not be admitted. Deal also said he would be selling CBD items and a small amount of glass pipes as well.

A lengthy discussion focused on the detrimental vaping items sold in convenience stores and what Deal said the differences are between those (imported from China) and what he sells.

Jackie Davis, a former nurse and Deal’s mother, addressed the Board, saying that carbon monoxide is present in many of the other vaping items available for sale, but not in their products. She also talked about the results she has seen with people that have used their products to reduce or eliminate their tobacco habit.

During the citizen comments portion of the meeting, Jennifer Lee, who said she was a former teacher, said she knows of kids who started smoking because they started vaping. She talked about three cases she knows of where there has been permanent lung damage to kids who were vaping.

Deal said that those kids were likely using vaping items purchased at convenience stores rather than the products he would sell.

Lee then referred to comments she said were made online by Pastor [Adam] Joy expressing more than 200 people who were against vaping shops.

Joe Nelson expressed concern that the shop would be selling glass pipes and said he didn’t think it was okay for kids across the street at the playground to be exposed to a vape shop.

The city attorney referred to state regulations saying that alcohol could not be sold within 500 feet of a school, but that there were no limitations related to playgrounds.

Bobbi Nelson said that she moved to High Springs because of the small-town atmosphere. She said she didn’t think vaping was good for anyone, let alone 14–15-year-old kids.

The portion of the City regulations on Conditional Use Permits that seemed to be problematic for Board members was Item #8 that deals with the permit not adversely affecting the health, safety or welfare of the community. The city attorney explained that it was up to the Board to decide if the application met those criteria or not.

Although the city attorney explained that the Board could approve the application with whatever restrictions it wanted, such as signage or a limitation on selling medical marijuana, Board members denied approval of the application outright.

Although the Plan Board voted against giving its approval to the Conditional Use Permit, the application will be heard by the City Commission at the Monday, Sept. 25 meeting.

In other Board business, a second application for a Conditional Use Permit for a Tobacco/Vape Shop (AASHI, Inc.) was heard. The proposed store is located in Gator Plaza, 18467 N.W. U.S. Highway 441, across from Bev’s Better Burgers. The property owner was in attendance to present this item as the business owner and proposed tenant was unable to attend the meeting.

The property owner said there is a daycare center in the shopping center, which has children ages five and under. As the store owner was not on hand to answer Board questions, a motion was made to table the application to allow the proposed tenant to be present to answer questions. The matter was tabled to the Oct. 16 Plan Board meeting and will not be heard by the City Commission until it has been heard and acted on by the Plan Board.

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ALACHUA ‒ The Alachua County Area Association of Pharmacy along with the American Pharmacists Association and the Florida Pharmacy Association were recognized Monday, Sept. 11, 2023, by the City of Alachua Commission by proclaiming October 2023 as American Pharmacists Month. The proclamation read as follows:

Whereas    pharmacists are the most accessible health care providers delivering critical services to patients and contributing to the health and well-being of all people; and

Whereas    pharmacists are best positioned to be the health care provider that ensures optimal medication therapy outcomes, and helps to ensure patients are adherent to their medications; and serve as providers during public health emergencies; and

Whereas    with a community pharmacy located within five miles of nearly all Americans, pharmacists and pharmacy personnel are best suited to work collaboratively with other health care providers and are making an impact in helping patients overcome illness and live healthier lives through chronic disease management and the fully effective use of their medicines; and

Whereas    today, there are over 300,000 licensed pharmacists, over 400,000 pharmacy technicians, and 47,000 student pharmacists providing care and serving as patient advocates for ensuring access to the best and safest therapy to the patients they serve; and

Whereas    the American Pharmacists Association, Florida Pharmacy Association and the Alachua County Area Association of Pharmacy have declared October as American Pharmacists Month.

Now, therefore, be it resolved that I, Gib Coerper, Mayor of the City of Alachua, representing the City and City Commission, do hereby proclaim October 2023 as American Pharmacists Month and urge all our citizens to acknowledge the valuable services of pharmacists to provide safe, accessible, affordable, and beneficial patient care services and products to all residents and protect the public health of our communities.

In witness whereof , I have hereunto set my hand the 11^th day of September 2023.

Gib Coerper, Mayor

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HIGH SPRINGS – The City of High Springs has tentatively set its Fiscal Year 2023-24 budget at $17.5 million. The City Commission on Sept. 14 also tentatively set ad valorem taxes at 6.9900 mills, which results in an increase to residents of $100 annually per $100,000 of a home’s taxable value. The current millage rate is 5.9900 mills. The final millage rate will be set at the City Commission meeting scheduled for Sept. 25. At that time, the Commission can reduce the proposed millage rate.

Speaking to the City’s proposed Fiscal Year 2023-24 budget, City Manager Ashley Stathatos said that departments made cuts in all areas. “Any further cuts would result in a decrease in level of services to city residents.”

One resident suggested the City should forcibly annex areas served by the City that are not providing taxable income to the City such as enclave properties and Camp Kulaqua. Currently, the City of High Springs does not forcibly annex properties. However, the Commission said that it was something to consider for the future, but wasn’t currently allowed.

Another resident pointed out that the City has budgeted $1.2 million for an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) system that isn’t in place. Assistant City Manager Bruce Gillingham explained that the [water] meters are in and will be deployed beginning the following week. He also said that Town Hall meetings would be announced soon to help educate citizens on the new system.

In a 4-1 vote, the Commission approved the 6.9900 millage rate with Commissioner Katherine Weitz casting the dissenting vote.

An ordinance adopting the 2023-2024 fiscal year $17.5 million budget was also approved in a 4-1 vote with Weitz casting the dissenting vote.

The budget’s General Fund expenditures for Fiscal Year 2023-24 are $7,218,646. Departments taking the higher percentage of the General Fund are Police at $2.8 million, followed by Public Works (streets, facilities and cemetery) at $900,144; IT at $404,622; Parks and Recreation at $395,864; and the City Manager’s office at $382,079.

The top Special Revenue Funds are Fire at $2.5 million; Wild Spaces Public Places at $954,461; Transportation at $518,258; CRA at $447,540; and Building at $412,750. One-third of the Fire expenses come out of the General Revenue Fund. The balance is made up by the Fire Assessment and fees charged to Alachua County when the High Springs Fire Department responds to calls outside the City limits.

The Enterprise Funds include water, sewer and solid waste. These operating expenses are $1.5 million for water, $2 million for sewer and $1.8 million for solid waste.

Residents also expressed concerns about the City’s use of vehicle leases and internet services. One citizen commented that interest rates charged on leased vehicles was not cost effective and that the City should wait until they could afford to buy vehicles outright before purchasing new ones through a leasing program.

Gillingham responded that the City does not purchase vehicles through a regular leasing company, but instead through a government purchase at a rate comparable to buying the vehicles. He also explained that the vehicles could be purchased at the end of the leasing period if the City decides to do that; so the City would then own the vehicles outright and could sell them.

Gillingham said that vehicles purchased were to replace those that were costing the City money in repairs every year due to their age and the amount of use they routinely receive, especially police and fire vehicles.

In response to a comment about the “high end” types of vehicles the City has, Gillingham said that automobile dealers were unable to fulfill the City’s original orders for lower-end vehicles. Instead, the dealers provided higher-end similar vehicles at the lower-end price in order to satisfy the City’s original order.

Stathatos said that the City has changed the contract with its IT service provider for a monthly set amount. High Springs Public Information Officer Kevin Mangan provides some IT services, but he said that security issues limit the issues he is able to help resolve.

Some Commissioners said they would like to address the amount paid to the City’s IT provider in a future workshop.

In other City business, Turnsole Builders LLC requested and unanimously received a zoning change from R1 to C3 on two tax parcels totaling 2.39 +/- acres, for an expansion to the applicant’s storage facility. This item was heard on second and final reading. Staff recommended approval since the parcels next to the property are C3, and the property is along a commercial corridor.

Commissioners unanimously approved a professional services agreement between the City and Megrath Consulting, Inc. for general planning and grant services. Allison Megrath was the City’s consultant during the Comprehensive Plan rewrite when she worked with Kimley Horn.

The Commission commended City employees for their work to get water back on line when a construction crew hit a water line the previous week. Public Works Director Thomas Henry said the City has billed the company for the cost to repair the break and that businesses are working directly with the company to obtain reimbursement for their business losses during the downtime.

Commissioner Byran Williams recommended that citizens not rely on social media and word of mouth on information relating to City government, but rather to come directly to the City to get their information.

Commissioner Ross Ambrose reported that a software glitch in a computer system was responsible for traffic accidents in High Springs not showing up on the Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) website. FDOT was under the impression that High Springs had no traffic issues or accidents, thereby negating any requests for traffic lights or other traffic-related issues. Ambrose said that the oversight is now being corrected.

The next City Commission meeting will take place on Monday, Sept. 25, at 6:30 p.m. to set the final millage rate and budget.

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ALACHUA - Dexter and Sarajo O’Steen will host a second classic show for charity of the year. The Sept. 30 event runs from 8:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. and will raise funds for Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). Dubbed the Fellowship of Christian Athletes D&S Classic Car Show, the event will feature classic cars, trucks and motorcycles, food tents, raffle and awards. The event will be outside at the O’Steen’s Barn, 16811 County Road 241, Alachua. Admission and parking as a spectator to see the car show is absolutely free. There will be a food tent and a 50/50 drawing (cash only) and raffle opportunity. Those wishing to participate may enter their cars, motorcycles and trucks with a $25 cash registration fee per vehicle at the gate. Registration is from 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. with awards at 1:30 p.m. Award categories include GM, Ford, Mopar, Imports, Best of Show, Peoples’ Choice (as voted on by participants), and Spectators’ Choice (as voted on by spectators). Up for grabs are also two Florida Gators vs. Vanderbilt football tickets and two Florida Gators vs. Arkansas football tickets. In addition to the car show featuring participants from across the area, the O’Steens will also allow attendees to enter the barn to view their extensive private collection of classic cars and request only that spectators consider a donation to FCA. The event promises to be a hit as the O’Steens hosted a similar car show for First Global Missions 365 in April, which attracted more than 100 participants. For vehicle registration questions contact Sarajo O’Steen at 352-318-4810. All proceeds go to the ministry of FCA in North Central Florida. Visit northcentralflfca.org to learn more about the Fellowship of Christian Athletes..  

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NEWBERRY ‒ The Newberry City Commission talked budget, finances and water rates at the Sept. 6, City Commission meeting, tentatively increasing electric and water rates. All proposed budgets and rates were tentatively approved with a final vote set for Sept. 25.

The Commission approved a tentative millage rate at 5.9000 mills for the City for Fiscal Year 2023-24. The current 2022-23 fiscal year millage rate is 5.9244 mills. Millage is a tax rate assessed for each $1,000 of value; one mill is one dollar per $1,000 of assessed value.

The Commission also approved a proposed budget for the City for Fiscal Year 2023-24 with revenue and other financing sources of $43,167,065. City officials say that increased financing sources include an increase in grant funding, implementation of impact fees by the Newberry City Commission and an infrastructure sales surtax.

“The proposed operating budget expenditures are 22.84 percent more than last year’s total,” said Assistant City Manager and Chief Finance Officer Dallas Lee, which he said relates to new grants and the infrastructure sales surtax passed by voters.

These amounts were determined following five public hearings on the proposed property tax and operating millage rate.

Although these rates were approved tentatively, a final vote will take place at 7 p.m., Monday, Sept. 25, at the next scheduled City Commission meeting.

Electric and Water Rates Increased

The Commission unanimously approved increasing residential electric rates by approximately three percent. City officials estimate that the average residential impact will be an increase of $3.42 per month. There were also slight changes to solar interconnections. “Even after these proposed rate changes, the City will offer competitive rates when compared to other utilities,” said Lee.

Also unanimously approved on first reading was Ordinance 2023-27, which approves a seven percent increase in the water charges.

Regarding wastewater, Ordinance 2023-28 was approved on first reading which increases residential customer charges from $9.18 to $10.10 per month. Non-residential customer charges increased from $13.84 to $15.22 per month.

Wastewater usage charges for residential service for Tier 1 (all consumption) increased from $5.98 to $6.58 per thousand gallons (capped at 15,000 gallons). Wastewater usage charges for non-residential (commercial and industrial services) for Tier 1 (all consumption) increased from $7.21 to $7.93 per thousand gallons.

City officials say that additional requirements placed on the City of Newberry by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection are a primary driver of the rate increases in the wastewater system.

Water Storage Project Funding

The Commission also unanimously approved Resolution 2023-51 concerning a loan application for additional water storage capacity that is estimated to be needed within the next five years.

Last year the City of Newberry was awarded funds from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s State Revolving Fund (SRF) to complete a Water Facilities Plan. Of the three alternatives evaluated for providing additional water storage capacity, construction of a new 500,000-gallon elevated water storage tank was the most cost-effective.

The resolution authorizes the City to submit a loan application for project design funds for $566,178. The project will also include construction of a 12-inch water main.

In June 2023, the City was awarded $1 million in a State of Florida Legislative Appropriation, which will be used to pay off the remainder of the planning loan through SRF at $179,300 as well as the engineering design and project management/administration during design fee at $566,178.

The remaining $254,522 from the Legislative Appropriation will be applied toward the estimated $5 million construction phase of the project. City officials say they plan to apply to other funding sources to help defray the construction costs. A waste compensation study was also included on the agenda, but was tabled to the Sept. 25 meeting.

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