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ALACHUA ‒ The City of Alachua Commission and the Alachua County Commission held their annual joint meeting on May 22. The County revealed plans to construct three new fire stations, one located between High Springs and Alachua on CR 235A south of Highway U.S. 441 and another in San Felasco Tech City between Alachua and Gainesville. The third will be located near Haile in Gainesville.

The City of Alachua Commission approved an interlocal agreement for Alachua County’s Tree Planting Program, which plants trees throughout the county. Since 2018, the program has planted and maintained 1,116 trees in all nine county municipalities. The two main priorities of the next five-year program will be on road segments where traffic calming is most needed and varied transportation choices are most likely to be utilized, such as schools, commercial centers, employment centers, and service centers including libraries, parks, churches and community centers.

The second priority will concentrate locations that facilitate shade and buffering for pedestrians, cyclists, buildings, parking lots, and recreational amenities. The County commission requested approval to continue the program on City of Alachua property and the Alachua City Commission agreed to the proposal.

In other City business, the Alachua City Commission recognized Teachers of the Year from Alachua schools. Annually, schools throughout Alachua County select a “Teacher of the Year” to represent their respective schools. For Alachua, there were four teachers representing each school in the city. Alachua Mayor Gib Coerper presented certificates to Jazzlyn Harrell of Alachua Elementary School, Kimberly Young of W.W. Irby Elementary School, Natalie Watkins of A.L. Mebane Middle School and Ellen Frattino of Santa Fe High School.

The Alachua City Commission gave final approval to rezone a 306-acre property that backs up to Briarwood Phase 1 Subdivision that fronts CR 235A. The newly rezoned property will be home to Briarwood Town Center, a 306.34-acre property that fronts U.S. Highway 441. The City Commission approved changing the City’s Official Zoning Atlas for Briarwood Town Center from Agricultural (“A”) (Alachua County), Community Commercial (“CC”), and Residential Multiple-Family -8 (“RMF-8") to Planned Development – Residential (“PD-R”) and Planned Development – Commercial (“PD-COMM”) on the property. The proposed PD-R zoning district allows for 598 single family residential units, and 15,000 square feet for amenity buildings.

The proposed PD-COMM zoning district allows for 350 multi-family residential units, and 500,000 square feet of non-residential. Most of the site would permit a variety of residential uses including single family attached, and detached, and townhouses. Multiple family would be permitted only within designated areas located internal to the PD-R portion of the property. Access to the proposed development would be provided at six locations, with four new or revised access points to the U.S. Highway 441 and two new connections to the existing Briarwood subdivision.

In November 2020, the Alachua City Commission has approved the final plat for Briarwood Phase1 subdivision, which is located in the 17000 block of CR 235A, west of CR 235A and Santa Fe High School, south of the Meadowglen subdivision, and north of the Santa Fe Hills subdivision. Phase 1 received approval for 84 homes on 28.99 acres and is currently under construction.

The Commission also considered and approved an Infrastructure Plan proposing the construction of roadways, utility infrastructure, and stormwater management facilities to support future commercial development on a on a 13.93-acre property southwest of the intersection of U.S. Highway 441 and CR 235-A at the development of Santa Fe Crossings. The development will construct two new private roads connecting to U.S. Highway 441 and CR 235-A. Stormwater will be conveyed to an on-site stormwater management facility located in the southeastern portion of the site.

In other business, the Commission also approved a resolution on usage of the Wild Spaces Public Places (WSPP) and Infrastructure Distribution plan. The ballot initiative was passed by a majority of Alachua County voters in the Nov. 8, 2022 general election. The Alachua County Commission has proposed $6 million total in grant funds from WSPP and Infrastructure Sales Tax to the City of Gainesville, and an additional $6 million collectively to all nine Alachua County municipalities. This would leave an even split among all municipalities in the County, excluding Gainesville, for a total of $750,000.

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Every year, hordes of riders from around the world descend on a winding dirt track near Newberry for one of the biggest events of the motocross season. Adults, children and adolescents race for points and fame. While some children end up on the winners’ stand, others land in the hospital.

Now, a group of UF Health researchers has documented a decade of traumatic injuries from the annual international motocross championship. Their goal: To better understand how child health is affected by participation in competitive motocross racing. The findings were presented recently at the Pediatric Academic Societies 2023 conference.

The study offers a bigger-picture perspective for parents and pediatricians, said Erin B. Bruney, M.D., a senior pediatric resident and co-author of the study. Repetitive head trauma or repeatedly breaking the same bone or bones carries a risk of lifelong health complications. Likewise, the findings could help pediatricians advocate for optimal safety practices in motocross.

In motocross, motorcycle riders race on a course with varying terrain that can include obstacles such as mud or water, steep drop-offs and hairpin turns. In late November, riders gird themselves for the Thor Winter Olympics, also known as the mini-Os, at Gatorback Cycle Park. Emergency room workers at UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital make preparations of their own. Without fail, there’s a flood of patients with injuries including broken bones, separated shoulders and upper-body trauma.

“Every year, there’s a massive influx of patients with those kinds of injuries who come in, all within the same week. We know what’s coming so the whole pediatric hospital braces itself. You know you’re going to have really busy shifts that week,” Bruney said.

Bruney has seen her share of fallout from the motocross event: fractured wrists, broken and shoulders, hand trauma and the procedural sedation that’s needed when orthopaedic physicians set broken bones.

Between 2011 and 2021, 246 children — one-fifth of whom were under 12 years old — were treated for injuries suffered at the mini-Os, the researchers found. Almost all of the children underwent X-ray or CT imaging. Nearly 20% of them needed a broken bone set without requiring surgery. About 10% of patients needed surgery to treat their broken bones. Thirty percent required hospital admission, including seven children who were admitted to the intensive care unit.

The less fortunate patients arrive with multiple injuries. Thirty-five percent of them arrived with “multi-system involvement” — typically a broken bone with additional trauma to the head, abdomen or skin, Bruney said.

During the 10-year study period, one adolescent rider from out of state died due to an injury sustained at the mini-Os.

Although the study didn’t fully document riders’ use of safety equipment, Bruney said it was apparent from paramedics’ notes and medical records that most patients were wearing a helmet and full protective gear when they got injured.

While the weeklong event has averaged about 25 emergency room patients a year, Bruney said that figure didn’t count injured riders who went to non-UF Health emergency rooms in the area. One particularly unfortunate rider ended up as a patient twice in the same week, she noted.

“From any perspective — the number of X-rays that are being done, the amount of emergency medical service use and the trauma alerts that are coming through — the use of resources is considerable,” Bruney said.

In addition to a lot of morbidity for patients, she noted there’s also a huge stress on the hospital system.

“I don’t think we’ll be ending motocross competitions. There’s a lot of culture and a lot of history there. Kids are very passionate about it but I definitely think there is room for improvement in safety standards — and that’s something that needs to be looked at,” she said.

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NEWBERRY ‒ Newberry’s proposed Agri-Tech Innovation Park project has received a financial boost. At the May 22 City Commission meeting it was announced that the City of Newberry has been awarded a $55,000 grant through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) program to advance the project. The funding will cover engagement of a consultant to create an incubator business plan and provide economic development consulting services. These services will support the development of stakeholder engagement for both the Agri-Tech Innovation Park project and the rural business incubator.

The grant and $20,000 of supplemental funds from the City's Duke Energy Grant make up a total project cost of $75,000.

The next step following the incubator feasibility study will be the incubator business plan, which is likely in September.

Commissioners unanimously approved a request on first reading to rezone three contiguous parcels of land, consisting of 0.9 +/- acres, from Commercial, General (CG) to Commercial, Central Business District (C-CBD). The application was brought by Norfleet Construction Group, LLC, agent, for Bounds Properties, LLC.

The property is located at the southwest corner of State Road 26/West Newberry Road and Southwest 257^th Street in the City’s Urban Service Area, which the City established to help create compact, contiguous urban development. It is also in the Newberry Historic District, Economic Development Overlay Area, Community Redevelopment Area and Transportation Enhancement Project Area.

Although concerns were raised about truck parking for Bounds fleet trucks, City of Newberry Principal Planner Jean-Paul Perez reminded the Commission that this issue was not part of the rezoning request. “No development is proposed in this petition and a Site and Development Plan is required for new development of this site,” he said. Realizing that specific development issues would be addressed in a later petition, Commissioners easily approved the zoning change.

In other business, seven construction companies responded to a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for a Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) for renovation and construction of Newberry City Hall. The project scope includes preconstruction services, construction and post-construction services, if the project was to progress through those stages.

The review committee selected Gainesville-based Scorpio as the highest-ranked firm. The Commission authorized the City Manager to begin negotiations to execute an agreement for CMAR services with Scorpio. Commissioners also authorized the City Manager to negotiate with the second ranked firm should he not be able to come to an agreement with the top ranked firm.

Baby Box

An announcement was made at the May 22 meeting that the City recently received an anonymous donation of $11,000 to help pay for a Safe Haven Baby Box at Newberry Fire Station. At the end of the May 22 Commission meeting when the Baby Box fundraiser and donation were announced, Jordan Fairfield added a donation of $10,000 to the amount collected, playing a pivotal role in achieving the financial objective.

The Safe Haven Baby Box initiative offers a safe, anonymous option for parents in crisis to surrender their newborns in a secure, warm and medically-equipped environment. The Baby Box also immediately alerts a series of first responders that a baby has been left in the box. “The upcoming installation at our fire station emphasizes our community's commitment to the welfare and safety of all our residents, especially the most vulnerable,” said City Manager Mike New.

“The Safe Haven Baby Box installation is a testament to our citizens’ collective goodwill and compassion,” said Mayor Jordan Marlowe. “Newberry is a community that consistently comes together in times of need.”

Details will be announced soon for a community event to celebrate the installation of the Safe Haven Baby Box. More information about Safe Haven Baby Boxes can be found at https://shbb.org/.

In other business, the City announced it will continue to sell the “Newberry - Small Town, Big Heart” tee-shirts with contributions from sales going to contribute to funding the Newberry Opioid Task Force. Anyone interested in supporting the cause and owning a piece of Newberry pride can purchase a shirt at www.newberryfl.gov/community/webform/newberry-big-heart-shirt-order-form.

Board Appointments

The Commission voted to appoint Naim Erched and Jordan Fairfield to fill Seats 4 and 5 of the Planning and Zoning Board (PZB) and Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB) and Paula Willis to fill Seat 6 on the HARB.

In March the Commission realigned the PZB and HARB seats to match the schedule of the City Commission election cycle and directed staff to provide a general ranking of applicants to the Commission prior to appointment of the new members.

In other City business, a joint City/County Commission meeting is scheduled for July 10. “It is anticipated that the meat packing plant will be among the items discussed at that meeting,” said Marlowe.

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TRENTON, Fla. – Farm Share, Florida’s leading food nonprofit and the state’s largest food bank, is distributing food to food-insecure Floridians in the Trenton, Fla., area. Recipients will receive fresh produce and non-perishable canned goods. Distributions are drive-thru only to minimize contact and to help ensure the safety of all parties. Attendees must arrive in a vehicle with a trunk or cargo bed.

With more than 3.9 million families suffering from food insecurity throughout Florida, Farm Share meets the everyday hunger needs of Floridians by working hand-in-hand with local farmers to recover and redistribute produce that would otherwise be thrown away due to aesthetic imperfections. 

Farm Share also distributes food to the community through its network of soup kitchens, food pantries, homeless shelters, churches, and senior centers across Florida free of charge. To find a food pantry near you, please visit www.farmshare.org/food-pantries.

Trenton information is below.

Event: Gilchrist Prevention Coalition Free Food Distribution

Date: Saturday, June 10, 2023

Time: 9:00 a.m. until supplies last

Location: Trenton Elementary School, 1350 FL-26, Trenton, FL 32693

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HIGH SPRINGS ‒ Golf carts will soon be a familiar sight in High Springs as the City Commission on May 25 authorized the operation of golf carts on streets owned by the City. Designated streets that golf carts can operate on include all city streets with a posted speed limit of 30 miles per hour or less. Golf carts are not authorized on Northwest 174^th Avenue, U.S. Highway 441, US Highway 27, US Highway 27 Alt, Northwest 186^th Avenue, Northwest 182^nd Street, Northwest 190^th Avenue and Northwest 202^nd Street.

Regulations on Ordinance 2023-03, which governs the use of golf carts in High Springs, specify that golf cart operators must be 15 years of age or older. Golf carts may not exceed a speed of 20 miles per hour and must be equipped with efficient brakes, reliable steering apparatus, safe tires, a rearview mirror and red reflector warning devices in both the front and rear. Golf carts operated between sunset and sunrise must be equipped with headlights, brake lights, turn signals and a windshield.

In other business, the Commission awarded a bid to Florida Homes for $375,745 in renovations at Catherine Taylor Park, 18100 Southeast Douglas Street. The park’s old daycare building is planned to be used as a Community Center in the future.

The interior work to be performed includes the removal of equipment, fixtures and lead paint. Items to be replaced include the kitchen, restrooms, mechanical room, air conditioning unit and duct work, ceiling and flooring, lighting and paint. Exterior work to be performed includes a new roof, windows, doors, lights, sidewalk and paint job.

Breanna Rolling, owner of Tight Seal, submitted a request for review of a minor site plan for construction of a pole barn to be located at 17414 N.W. U.S. Highway 441. The project, which received approval, is on 0.89 +/- acres. The 30-ft. x 30-ft. pole barn will be located behind their existing building. According to the submitted plan, the pole barn will not be visible from the road and meets the needed separation between the main building, as well as the setbacks from the parcel line.

The applicant plans to remove an accessory structure already on site in order to be compliant with the limit on accessory structures.

The Commission also surplused a lawn mower and four passenger vans that the City no longer needs. All of these items were purchased using Wild Spaces Public Places funds. They were all declared surplus so they can be sold by competitive bid on Govdeals.com. Revenue from the sale of these items will be returned to the Wild Spaces Public Places Fund for other uses.

The Commission voted to surplus a 2018 Toro Groundsmaster mower as well as four passenger vans, a 2000 GMC, 2007 Chevy, 2004 Ford and 2000 Ford. The vans were part of the Canoe Outpost purchase, but are not useable due to age and condition.

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