Community Update
A Report on the Activities of Alachua County Government
This Issues Features:
North Central Florida Chapter of NIGP 3rd Annual Reverse Trade Show
Alachua County Hosts Jehovah’s Witnesses Convention During July 4th Weekend
Rescheduled Joint Commission Meeting: Alachua County and City of Waldo
July 4th Holiday Waste Collection Schedule
Supervisor of Elections Office Relocates
Testify at the Citizens’ Congressional Healthcare Hearing
North Central Florida Chapter of NIGP 3rd Annual Reverse Trade Show
The North Central Florida Chapter of the National Institute for Governmental Purchasing (NIGP) is sponsoring the 3rd Annual Reverse Trade Show on Wednesday, July 19 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at The Ewers Century Center-Harvey R. Klein Conference Center. The center is at Central Florida Community College (CFCC), 3001 SW College Road, Ocala.
This event is free. Attendees of the trade show can meet with purchasing professionals from various North Central Florida governmental agencies who procure goods and services including operating supplies, equipment, building construction, and other required services for government agencies.
Attendees can meet and network with governmental purchasing professionals from agencies such as:
Alachua County Board of County Commissioners/Library District – Alachua County School Board – Central Florida Community College – Citrus County – City of Alachua – City of Gainesville – Florida Department of Corrections – Lake County School Board – Marion County Board of County Commissioners – Marion County Public Schools – City of Ocala – Santa Fe Community College – State of Florida DMS – St Johns River, Southwest FL, and Suwannee River Water Management Districts – University of Florida and others.
Walk-ins are welcome. To pre-register or for further information contact Darryl R. Kight, CPPB, of the Alachua County Purchasing Division at (352) 374-5202.
Citizens can also contact Jane Hurley of the City of Ocala at (352) 351-6707 for more information.
To reach the event from I-75
Alachua County Hosts Jehovah’s Witnesses Convention During July 4th Weekend
Once again the University of Florida, the Stephen C. O’Connell Center, and The Alachua County Visitors and Convention Bureau will be hosting the Christian Congregative of Jehovah’s Witnesses this 4th of July weekend starting Friday, June 30, 2006. Based on attendance figures from last year, some 7,500 people will attend over the three day period.
Hosting the Jehovah’s Witnesses has a significant economic impact for our community. Patience and understanding from faculty, staff and students, as well as the general public, particularly during the morning rush hour on Friday, June 30, is encouraged while we welcome them back, for the ultimate benefit to all.
The Alachua County Visitors and Convention Bureau wants to extend a special thank you to the Board of County Commissioners, Alachua County Legal Department and the Tourist Development Council for the development of a county-wide convention grant that assisted them in bringing the Jehovah’s Witnesses to our community. They also would like to thank the City of Gainesville for their contribution in bringing these prestigious Conventions to the University and our community.
For more information, contact Roland Loog, CDME, Director of the Alachua County Visitors and Convention Bureau at (352) 374-5231.
Rescheduled Joint Commission Meeting: Alachua County and City of Waldo
The Alachua County Board of County Commissioners joint meeting with the City of Waldo has been rescheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, July 6 at the Waldo Community School, 14450 NE 148th Ave., Waldo. The meeting originally was to be held on June 13, but was cancelled due to the impending Tropical Storm Alberto.
The joint meeting is part of a series of open meetings the Commission is holding in municipalities throughout the County.
The agenda for the meeting will include a discussion of:
• Businesses coming to the County affecting Waldo
• Fire
• Annexation
• Communications (Sheriff’s Department)
• Law Enforcement / Fire / MSTU or Assessment
• Stormwater / MSBU
The meeting will also provide an opportunity for citizen comments.
July 4th Holiday Waste Collection Schedule
Due to the observance of Independence Day on Tuesday, July 4th, residential curbside collection service for solid waste, recycling and yard trash will be delayed one day for Tuesday through Friday collection routes. Monday collection on July 3rd will occur as normal. The regular schedule for these services will resume the following week. The five Alachua County Rural Collection Centers and the Leveda Brown Environmental Park and Transfer Station will also be closed on Tuesday.
Supervisor of Elections Office Relocates
The Alachua County Supervisor of Elections’ administrative office has officially relocated.
The administrative office is now located across the street from the Alachua County Administration Building at 111 SE First Ave. at the north end of the Star Garage Building. The administrative office is on the 1st floor.
The public will enter the building from SE First Avenue, across from the RTS bus pick-up. Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The physical address of the new administrative office is: 111 SE First Ave., Gainesville, Florida 32602.
For more information, call (352) 374-5252.
Based on the most recent drought index readings, Alachua County has officially lifted its burn ban, effective at 5 p.m. June 28.
Although the use of fireworks, legally allowed in Alachua County, and burning, with permits as required, is now allowed, citizens are asked to exercise extreme caution.
For more information, please contact ACFR Public Information Officer Megan Crandall at (352) 494-8600.
Testify at the Citizens’ Congressional Healthcare Hearing
This is our chance to speak out about our experiences with the U. S. Health care crisis and what we want to see done about it.
As part of Healthcare-NOW’s national campaign to pass H.R. 676 (Rep. John Conyers’ “National Health Insurance Act”), the Alachua County Labor Party intiated an organizing committee to hold a hearing on the health care crisis here in Alachua County.
It is one of more than 80 such hearings being organized by citizens across the U.S.
Join us in testifying about: skyrocketing costs putting healthcare out of reach, being tied to a job or marriage for insurance, not being able to choose your doctor, mountains of paperwork and insurance company bureaucracy, huge out-of-pocket expenses, denials of care, and more.
Scheduled to appear to receive testimony: Glenel Bowden, District Director for Rep. Corrine Brown, Members of the Alachua County and Gainesville City Commissions, and Penny Wheat, Master of Ceremonies.
Tell Us Your Story Here!
SATURDAY, JULY 8, 2006
THELMA BOLTON CENTER
9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
516 NE 2nd AVENUE
For more information, to testify, or to get involved, call the Alachua County Labor Party office at 352-375-2832, or visit www.floridalaborparty.org/alachua
Commission Meeting Highlights
06-27-06
Recognitions, Proclamations, and Presentations
Presentation of “Outstanding Achievement in Local Government Innovation” for “Grant Opportunity Tools”.
Proclamation declaring “June 27, 2006” as “Steve Carr Day” in Alachua County, Florida.
Community Planning Group
The Board approved the Alachua County Transportation Priorities for Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Fiscal Years 2006/07 – 2011/12.
The Board authorized the County Attorney to file a lawsuit challenging Hawthorne's annexation of tax parcel 19315-000-000 and to initiate intergovernmental dispute resolution procedures.
The Board heard a first adoption hearing of an ordinance amending the Unified Land Development Code to allow pet boarding facilities in commercial and industrial zoning districts in the County. The Board also authorized staff to revise the proposed ordinance to include the special exception and advertise a second public hearing.
The Board authorized the Chair to sign a letter to the City of Hawthorne Mayor indicating the County's concern that:
The Board heard a presentation on the development plan and plat for Turnberry Lake, Phase III in response to Inquiry about Connectivity by Hugh D. Robinson. The Board directed staff to prepare a memo offering a better description of what the language infers.
The Board approved an option agreement between Alachua County and Warner W. Weseman for the 128-acre property located at the southeast corner of Waldo Road (State Road 24) and Northeast 69 th Avenue. Amount: $100,000.00
County Manager Reports
The Board heard a performance update on the CHOICES Health Services program.
The Board heard a request for a contribution to the Council for Economic Outreach Opportunity 2010 Campaign. Based on the request, the Board directed staff to include this as a General Fund Expenditure and then fund in a two year cycle beginning October 1, 2007. The Board also authorized staff to develop an agreement for services with the Council for Economic Outreach for the purposes of industrial recruitment, assistance in marketing County industrial parks, retention and expansion of businesses with an emphasis on small minority businesses, and an annual training session developed in conjunction with the County Manger to train local government employees. Amount: $50,000.
Get Involved - Alachua County Advisory Boards
The Alachua County Commission is committed to citizen involvement on its 33 advisory boards
and is soliciting applications for the following vacancies:
Applications are available in the County Manager's Office on the second floor of the County Administration Building, 12 SE First St., Gainesville, or on the Web at: http://boards.alachua.fl.us/app/application.aspx
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Thank you for your continued interest in County Government!
Community Update is produced by the County Manager's Communications Office.