Chiefland Police Chief Scott Anderson and Fire Chief James Harris award businessman Chuck Strange a Citizen of the Year plaque for his successful fund-raiser that generated money for both departments.
By Terry Witt – Spotlight Senior Reporter
Chiefland City Commissioners Tuesday voted 4-1 to send a difficult code enforcement case to County Judge James T. Browning for a decision they hope will force the property owners to clean up a junky piece of property.
Mayor Chris Jones cast the lone vote in opposition.
The city will ask the judge to rule that there is a violation of city codes prohibiting garbage, trash and weeds from accumulating, and if he does make the finding, to impose additional fines.
On Dec. 11, 2018 a judgment was recorded at the Levy County Courthouse for a lien of $1,733 on the property. The city attempted to show mercy on the owner by assessing a lower level of fines on the property.
Commissioners have been saddled with the code enforcement case at 403 NE 4th St. since before 2015, according to City Manager Mary Ellzey. She said the family living there has done some cleaning in the past few days since being notified of the code enforcement action.
But the property hasn’t been fully cleaned.
“As of this date the property is still in violation of Article II, accumulation of junk, trash, rubbish, weeds and vegetation, Section 26-34, heavy, dense, rank overgrowth prohibited,” the code enforcement board agenda stated.
The city commission served in two roles at two public hearings Tuesday. They served first as the city’s code enforcement board in recommending the case go to county court, and immediately after adjourning, switched hats and became the city commission.
Board members hope the weight of having the county judge involved will convince the family living on the property to clean it up.
City Manager Mary Ellzey said the family had been made aware of the liens and the code enforcement case pending against the property.
“I just don’t think they want to clean it up. They don’t accept our letters,” Ellzey said.
A member of the owner’s family has moved into the home. Children and adults are living in the building.
Attorney Blake Fugate, serving in place of his father, City Attorney Norm Fugate, said the city could hire someone to clean the property and then assess the owner for the cost of the cleanup, but the city would run the risk of serving as a cleaning service for other property owners in the city who won’t do it on their own.
Fugate said he always advises the boards that the purpose of code enforcement is not to punish property owners but to bring them into compliance with the law.
Commissioner Rollin Hudson and Jones weren’t in favor of foreclosing on the property. Hudson reminded the board that a family with children is living in the home.
“There’s a big difference between foreclosing on a vacant piece of property and foreclosing on someone living there,” he said.
Jones said he wouldn’t vote for foreclosure.
But Commissioner Don Lawrence said neighbors of the property are continuing to complain about the condition of the yard. He said he doesn’t blame neighbors for complaining when they seeing large rodents scurrying across the yard.
Lawrence felt that turning the case over to Browning would at least send a message to neighbors that the city is serious about getting the property cleaned up.
Commissioner Tim West said the city has been lenient in the past. He wasn’t sure sending the case to the judge and imposing more fines would change anything.
Wastewater Expansion Plan
Commissioners gave Ellzey and her staff permission to begin meetings and discussions concerning future expansion of the city’s wastewater treatment system.
The ultimate goal is to design and construct a second wastewater treatment plant in the northern part of the city on land that has yet to be identified. The city would then operate two plants.
After beginning discussions with staff and engineer Lee Mills, the preliminary plan is to discuss purchasing land with the Suwannee River Water Management District as the first phase of the project.
The second phase would consist of design and construction of the new plant. The third phase would be laying underground pipes for collection of the waste.
“It’s going to be a multi-year, so it’s going to take a while,” said Sewer Superintendent Randy Wilkerson.
The agenda item said the rule is to start discussions about sewer facility expansion when the plant is at 55 percent capacity, and to start discussion about construction when the plant is at 75 percent capacity. The plant is currently at 55 percent of capacity.
Automatic Chest Compressor
Fire Chief James Harris and Ellzey received permission to amend the fire fund budget to include the purchase of a $12,402 automatic chest compression device that takes to place of human hands for CPR.
Harris said the chest compressor has been purchased. The city received a $2,000 grant from Wal-Mart and will receive an additional $2,500 grant from the Florida League of Cities. The remainder comes from the fire fund.
Lawrence said he has heard compliments from residents who know the value of the automatic chest compression device. They thanked the city for making the purchase.
Big Drug Bust
Police Chief Scott Anderson announced a drug bust at a rundown facility known as a Melody Motel.
He said 48.5 grams of methamphetamine, 47.8 grams of marijuana, 2.8 grams of a drug commonly known as “Molly,” 2 grams of cocaine and $1,885 of cash were seized with the arrest of six people.
“We are working the drug problem. We will persist,” Anderson said.
Mutual Aid Agreement
Commissioners approved a mutual aid agreement between city police and the Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office.
The agreement protects city police when they are called to assist Gilchrist County deputies.
City police have similar agreements with other law enforcement departments including the Levy County Sheriff’s Office.
Anderson said if city police were called to assist the sheriff’s office in Williston, for example, they would have authority to help out.
Citizen of the Year
Anderson and Harris presented business owner Chuck Strange with a Citizen of the Year plaque for raising $4.650 in support of city police and firefighters.
Strange, who owns Chiefland Billiards raised the money at his business. His customers contributed the money.
City of Chiefland Regular Meeting May 28, 2019; Posted May 29, 2019
