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HIGH SPRINGS – The High Springs City Commission has signed an agreement with Alachua County for access to the Public Safety Radio System (PSRS). This access will allow communication between the City of High Springs police and fire departments and Alachua County’s Combined Communications Center (CCC)

Alachua County purchased the PSRS, or trunked radio system, previously owned by the City of Gainesville. Access to the system is in the public interest as it enables public agencies with access to PSRS to communicate with Alachua County’s CCC that provides county-wide dispatch services and is the contact location for all emergency calls.

The agreement is for a period of five years and the cost will be split 50/50 between the High Springs Fire and Police Departments. The cost has already been budgeted by the City, said Theus.

The agreement calls for High Springs to pay Alachua County $2,200 in 12 equal monthly installments totaling $26,400 annually for a period of five years. In the agreement it states, “At the end of 5 years the payment for services under this agreement will be renegotiated to include a method for the calculation of user fees going forward.” The five-year-period will allow the County time to determine a fair and equitable way to charge for the services in future years.

Currently, the system has six tower sites, which Alachua County Fire Rescue Chief Harold Theus said should be increased to service the outlying areas of Alachua County.

The Commission unanimously approved this agreement.

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Today File Photo / Priest Theater

HIGH SPRINGS ‒ The Priest Theater has once again received a reprieve from an uncertain future. The High Springs City Commission on Nov. 28 unanimously agreed to move forward with the purchase and renovation of the historic structure.

Building contractor Joe Hoffman addressed the Commission about moving forward with the Priest Theater renovation to shore up the crumbling landmark. He submitted an estimate of $605,000 to shore up the roof and structure. The price doesn’t include paint, setting it up for ADA compliance or electrical work, but it would be enough to replace the roof and shore up the building. He estimated another $100,000 to do more to improve the building.

Hoffman urged the Commissioners to accept the $1.4 million grant through a State of Florida Legislative appropriation and move ahead with the project before it’s too late to save the building.

Several other citizens and some Commissioners voiced support to accept the grant. By unanimous vote, the Commission accepted the grant appropriation and directed staff to bring back a resolution to create an advisory board to oversee the project. During discussion, a member of the Heart of High Springs announced their interest in possibly acquiring the building as a cultural, as well as historic, property.

Search for New City Manager

The City has begun the search for a new city manager following receipt of a letter of resignation from current City Manager Ashley Stathatos. Due to illness, Stathatos was not in attendance at the meeting. City Clerk Angela Stone prepared an advertisement for review. Additions included a request to add that “experience in a small, historic town” would be preferable and a salary range of $100,000 - $120,000. The advertisement will stay open for 45 days. The ad will be placed in a Florida League of Cities publication.

In discussing interim city managers former High Springs City Commissioner Sue Weller suggested the addition of the stipulation that the applicant would have to move to High Springs and also informed the Commission about the Rangers Program that is part of the City Managers Association in which an experienced former city manager can be assigned to a town in the interim.

City Attorney

The Commission tackled issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a new city attorney. Following discussion and comments for current City Attorney Scott Walker, the Commission tabled the discussion until a new city manager has been hired.

When Mayor Katherine Weitz said she was looking for ways to save money, Walker explained that when he joined the City 16 years ago, the City was in litigation on several fronts. He pointed out that the hidden saving of having an experienced city attorney is that his firm has been able to keep the City out of costly litigation.

Commissioner Tristan Grunder said this is not the right time to change attorneys. Commissioner Steven Tapanes agreed with Grunder, pointing out that the City was already having to find a new fire chief as well as a new city manager. The motion passed in a 3-1 vote with Commissioner Andrew Miller casting the dissenting vote.

Interlocal Agreement

Newberry Fire Chief Mike Vogel has been acting as High Springs’ fire chief since the departure of former fire chief Chief Bruce Gillingham. Vogel addressed the Commission about an interlocal agreement between Alachua County and High Springs for Fire Prevention services.

Previously, Gillingham filled that role for the City, but the agreement allows Chief Adler to work with Captain Pearson for plans reviews, inspections and to provide classes to train others to perform those duties. In the agreement, the County will provide free classes and advanced classes to High Springs fire personnel.

As plans reviews and inspections are paid for by the requesting company, there will be no cost to the City.

This matter will be presented to the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners on Dec. 12 for their approval. City Commissioners unanimously approved the agreement.

Other City Business

Mayor Weitz was named as the delegate to the Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization (MTPO). Their next meeting is scheduled for Dec. 8. The organization meets quarterly.

Finance Director Wilson made a presentation and answered questions on the FY 2022-23 budget amendment on first reading of the item. She said the numbers were based on the unaudited numbers. This item will be addressed on second reading on Dec. 14.

The last meeting of the High Springs City Commission for 2023 is scheduled for Dec. 14.

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ALACHUA ‒ Taken from the novel, “A Christmas Carol,” the City of Alachua’s Recreation and Culture Department presents holiday events and other happenings of the past, present and future.

This past weekend, the City of Alachua Recreation and Culture Department participated in the City’s Christmas Parade on Main Street. There were nearly 80 floats that made their way down Main Street lined with spectators. Many of youth sport organizations joined in the fun as well.

Also, the Recreation and Culture Department hosted the Gainesville Sports Commission Table Tennis Tournament at Legacy Park Multipurpose Center Gym, as well as the Ronald McDonald “Build a House for the House” Fundraiser.

Presently, 399 Sports 2023 Winter Youth Basketball registration and evaluations have ended and practices begin on Monday, Dec. 11.

Coming up, the Recreation and Culture Department along with the City’s Senior Citizen Advisory Board will host Christmas Caroling and Bingo at the Hathcock Community Center on Wednesday, Dec. 13 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Light refreshments and bingo prizes will be provided.

If your child is interest in gardening or all things growing, Sprout Squad is looking for children ages 10-14 who want to learn to grow veggies! If your child is interested, email Vanessa@craftygemini.com

Visit the City of Alachua’s Recreation and Culture Departments Facebook page to stay up to date on all exciting, upcoming events.

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ALACHUA ‒ Main Street Alachua was alive with the holiday spirit this past Saturday, Dec. 9 as the Alachua Chamber of Commerce hosted the annual Christmas Parade through the downtown area. Annually, businesses, government departments, civic groups, churches and more sponsor floats to entertain spectators and compete for prizes.

On Saturday, children anxiously awaited the parade for a chance to see Santa Claus and secure sweet treats tossed from decorated floats or handed out by people walking alongside.

The parade featured some 73 floats decorated in this year’s toy land theme. The excitement and spirit of Christmas celebration were evident as children scampered around while waiting for the festivities to begin.

Parade participants lined up along North Main Street, and with a police escort of police cars and motorcycle patrolmen, the parade crossed U.S. Highway 441 to the sounds of wailing sirens accompanied by blue and red flashing lights.

Families and friends lined the street, some in lawn chairs, other perched on the curb, while still others stood, to watch the procession. Three law enforcement organizations were represented as Alachua Police Chief Jesse Sandusky was joined by High Springs Police Chief Antoine Sheppard and Alachua County Deputy Chad Scott as they walked the parade route leading the procession.

The parade's grand marshal, longtime resident, businessman, and Chamber of Commerce member Jerry Smith greeted the hometown crowd from a vintage blue convertible Mustang.

The City of Alachua’s float, featuring a huge toy chest filled with oversized stuffed toys, carried members of the Alachua City Commission.

Volunteers, walking alongside the floats, were dressed in Christmas dress or portrayed characters such as Santa's elves, and handed out candy to the children along the parade route. For the children, it was an exciting experience, seeing the colorful floats and costumed characters, along with free candy and gifts.

Other float sponsors and participants included Mi Apa Restaurant, Girl Scouts, MatchMaker Realty, All Stars Twirling Academy, Momentum Dance Academy, Santa Fe Babe Ruth Baseball team, the Alachua Business League, Alachua County Property Appraiser Ayesha Solomon, Santa Fe Soccer Academy, the Mebane Cheer squad, Hare Krishna members and a long list of others.

Parade favorite Santa Fe High School Raider Regiment engaged the crowd with their holiday melodies and were accompanied by Santa Fe High School’s festively dressed dance teams and the varsity cheerleader squad.

As each float passed the judge’s stage at the intersection of 148^th Place and Main Street, parade MC's Ben Boukari, Jr., Damon Messina and Robert Bonetti announced the sponsor of each float, oftentimes pausing long enough to chat with the participants.

The parade finale was the star of the show as Santa Claus waved to the children as he rode by perched on top of a firetruck. Excited youngsters waved and called out Santa's name, surely thinking about gifts he may leave under their tree to be discovered Christmas morning.

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ALACHUA ‒ With City of Alachua approval, 246 residential homes east of Northwest 188^th Street are closer to reality. The Alachua City Commission on Dec. 11, 2023 approved a preliminary plat/final Planned Development (PD) plan for Farmlands Subdivision. The 172-acre property is proposed to be developed in three phases into 246 single-family lots with associated common areas and road right-of-way.

The property is located south of U.S. Highway 441, east of Northwest 188^th Street, and west of the Santa Fe Ford dealership. There will be two vehicular access points off U.S. Highway 441 and one gated emergency access on Northwest 188^th Street. The Planning and Zoning Board at its November meeting recommended approval to the City Commission.

In other business, the Alachua City Commission pronounced Dec. 18 as Matthew Lewey Day. Born in Alachua/Newnansville on Dec. 18, 1848, Lewey served as a mayor, editor, postmaster, Justice of the Peace, and State legislator. This year marks the 175th anniversary of his birth. Alachua County Commissioner Chuck Chestnut, an ancestor of Lewey, was present to receive the proclamation from the Alachua City Commission recognizing Lewey for his many accomplishments.

The Alachua Commission chamber was standing room only as parents and friends of Alachua Learning Academy students came to witness gayly dressed younger students from the school present a rousing musical presentation featuring “Stand by Me” and “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”. With a nod to the holiday season, lines from familiar Christmas songs were incorporated into their performance. Each youngster received a certificate from the Alachua City Commission to commemorate their performance at City Hall.”

In a related matter, students from the Bhaktivedanta Academy were presented art certificates for their artwork which is on display in the foyer of City Hall.

In other business, the Commission approved amending the City of Alachua Land Development Regulations regarding infrastructure plan standards; subdivision standards; specific purposes of residential districts; use-specific standards for residential uses; purpose of tree mitigation standards; tree planting, relocation, replacement, credit, and banking standards; permanent signage within residential and agricultural districts; posting of surety devices for public improvements; and subdivider responsibility for maintenance of improvements. The Planning and Zoning Board at its November meeting recommended approval to the City Commission.

The Commission also approved the purchase of a new vacuum/industrial tank trunk from National Truck Center at a cost of $144,400 with a transport option of $1,200. The Public Services Department, Wastewater Division approved budget included the purchase of a vacuum/industrial tank truck not to exceed $150,000. National Truck Center was the low bidder on the purchase.

The Commission also approved an agreement with the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office for proposed Mutual Aid Agreement - Combined Operational Assistance and Voluntary Cooperation between the Alachua County Sheriff and the City of Alachua. The term for the agreement extends to Jan. 7, 2025, and permits voluntary cooperation and assistance of a routine law enforcement nature across jurisdictional lines and rendering of assistance in a law enforcement emergency. The Commission approved a Voluntary Cooperation Mutual Aid Agreement for Traffic Control between the Alachua County Sheriff and the City of Alachua. The term for this proposed agreement will extend through Jan. 27, 2025, and provides for Alachua Police Department officers to enforce Florida traffic laws and conduct crash investigations on specified roadways located outside the City's corporate boundaries, but still within Alachua County

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