Jason Futch
reporter2.riverbendnews@gmail.com
More than 24 hours after receiving word from Senator Corey Simon and Representative Jason Shoaf that discussions on revoking the town charter would begin, the White Springs Town Council carried on with business as usual on Tuesday, Feb. 11.
Prior to the meeting, a public hearing was presented by the council for the first reading of an ordinance for an addition of the Private Property Rights Amendment to the Comprehensive Plan of Public Notice. Clay Sweger, a consultant with EDA Consultants discussed the proposal, which aims to help put the town back in compliance with state statutes and the Florida Planning Agency. After Sweger shared information with the council, they briefly discussed the matter before passing the ordinance unanimously.
The next item Sweger discussed during the public hearing was a consideration of the transmittal of the Evaluation and Appraisal Report of the Comprehensive Plan to Florida Commerce. Helping Sweger with the presentation was Lowell Garrett, also with EDA Consultants, who explained that the consideration was the second requirement that would put the town in compliance.
Following the presentations, Lake City resident Sylvester Warren approached to share his love for White Springs and praise the work of the council.
The town council meeting followed the public hearing, which was opened with an invocation by Councilman Randolf Williams and followed by the pledge. All council members were present, as well as Town Clerk Audre’ Ruise and Town Attorney Leslie Scott Jean-Bart.
Following the approval of the agenda and meeting minutes from the January meeting, Richard Powell of Powell Consulting presented the financial report, which showed that income was slow at the moment, but the town was in the positive. The revenue since December was $214,895, and expenditures were $318,025. Powell explained that this was normal since insurance had not been allocated yet.
Following Powell was George, who shared that the town had $391,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds that were granted to the town that had not been touched. She also denied that the town was facing a cash flow shortage because of the reserves. George also shared that a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) grant was also issued for improvements on the town water treatment plant.
White Springs Fire Chief Steve Stith approached the podium to deliver updates on the operations of the White Springs Fire Department (WSFD). He offered praise to his firefighters, who were able to help a member of the audience at the Monday, Feb. 10, Legislative Delegation meeting after experiencing a medical emergency. Members of the WSFD had been in attendance when the incident took place.
He also requested the town council to consider placing an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) device at Suwannee Hardware and Feed, where a majority of the town’s events take place. He shared that he would train owner Don Wilson on the machine and would ensure that the machine would be regularly inspected. Mayor Jacqueline Williams shared concerns about the cost of the machine, and the council took no action on the matter.
He also shared that all but one of the fire trucks were in good repair and that most had low mileage. One of the vehicles had been damaged from a wreck, to which Stith said the previous administration did not fix up. Stith also said that for the month of January, the WSFD responded to five fire calls and 11 Emergency Medical Service calls.
Chris Holley, Director of Member Services and Training with the Florida League of Cities came up to make a presentation on the program, which White Springs is a member of. He shared some statistics about the state and some beneficial information regarding the town’s membership. Jean-Bart brought to the attention of the dissolution threat being levied against the town, and Holley said that the league would be able to assist with their rebuttal towards the proposed dissolution.
Following the presentation, the floor was opened to public comments. Tay Dickinson opened the floor, sharing that she believed that there was a sexual predator problem in the town, and that something needed to be done to stop them from coming into town.
Following Dickinson’s comments, a citizen came forward asking about the quilts that were on the wall of Suwannee Hardware and Feed that were replaced by the mural done by Christian Stanley and where they were currently located. Vice Mayor Anita Rivers said that the murals were being stored in a building behind Suwannee Hardware and Feed. She further stated that Wilson would not turn the quilts to the town because they could not prove ownership, adding that the prior administration had misplaced documents, which added to issues related to locating the ownership documents.
After public comments, an update was provided on the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office contract with the town. Jean-Bart shared that no response was given to the contract and is currently planning to meet with Sheriff Brian Creech on the matter.
Finally, the first reading was done on Ordinance 25-01, which would officially establish the Committee on Historic Preservation. The reading passed unanimously.
During final comments, Councilwoman Kizzie Burch shared information on Literacy Night at McDonalds, while Councilman R. Williams echoed sentiments he shared at the prior board meeting on kindness and ensuring that people bring more positive than negative into the town.
The next regular White Springs Town Council meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 11, at the trailer on the Town Hall grounds, located at 10363 Bridge St.