By JAMIE WACHTER on Friday, July 14, 2023Subhead

Council sets max rate at 9.5 mills, same as current.

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LIVE OAK — In a heated Live Oak City Council meeting, there was little drama in setting its maximum tax rate.

Prior to Councilwoman Lynda Owens excusing herself from the meeting and after Owens got into an argument with Council President David Burch leading to a recess, the council got along long enough to set the city’s maximum millage rate at 9.5 mills, the current rate. That rate is 8.4% above the rollback rate or the rate that would generate the same amount of tax revenue as the current rate. The city’s rollback rate is 8.7609 mills.

Interim City Manager Larry Sessions said setting the maximum rate at the current number would provide a good starting point for staff heading into the budget process.

“If we can see where we can roll it back during the process, then we should,” Sessions said. “I want to keep us where we’re at or go lower.”

Sessions also told the council that property values in the city had gone up 12%, which means not only is a resident’s house worth more, but also they will be taxed more.

Councilman Tommie Jefferson, after originally expressing surprise that a maximum millage rate had to be set prior to “budget time,” made the motion to approve the current rate as the maximum with the city’s tentative budget hearing set for Sept. 12 and the final budget hearing set for Sept. 26.

HIRES AND PROMOTIONS

The council also unanimously authorized Sessions to offer a starting salary of more than 10% above the bottom of the salary range for a building inspector.

Sessions was hoping to offer an $80,000 salary to fill the position, which has been vacant since Roy Rogers passed away in February 2022. The city currently is utilizing North Florida Professional Services on a consulting basis to handle those needs two days a week. NFPS is paid $10,000 a month to do so, or $120,000 annually.

“I think it’s a good deal,” Sessions said, adding if the salary was approved he’d have a hire made Wednesday.

On Thursday, Sessions confirmed he had hired Marcus Winburn to fill that position. Winburn, who hails from Mayo and currently lives in Alachua, travels to other areas of Florida to provide services, Sessions said.

So Live Oak will be a short commute for Winburn, whose wife Kathy is the planning and community development director for the City of Alachua.

Sessions also informed the council that firefighter Tim Williams will be handling fire inspection duties for the city. Former Chief Chad Croft, who retired this spring, had served as the city’s fire inspector. Williams, who is certified, had served as Croft’s backup.

“He’s a very good employee and when it comes time to review things for him, I’m very happy with what I see,” Sessions said. “I wish we had more people like him.”

The inspector duties come with a $500 monthly stipend.

HEATED MOMENTS

Right after the council approved the millage rate, Owens asked to recuse herself from the rest of the meeting but also requested a public apology from both Burch and Councilman Matt Campbell for remarks made during the earlier squabble.

“For discussion? What did I say?” Burch replied.

Owens then excused herself and left the dais.

Earlier in the meeting, Campbell asked for Sessions to look into possible ways to integrate technology into the city’s process for billing and notification to residents and businesses about late bills. Campbell said an app or the city’s website could be beneficial in handling that, while reducing postage.

Owens, though, said it was unnecessary since people should all know their bill is due on the 15th of every month. She added there was a reason the city had discontinued sending out notices.

Burch agreed, noting the city spends about $8,000 extra annually in postage for the notices.

Sessions said he was willing to look into anything that could make the city operate better.

“If there’s a better way, I want to do it a better way,” he said, also holding up a stack of returned bills from the post office while noting that process wasn’t perfect either.

Owens, who Campbell even acknowledged is normally pushing for technological advances for the city, though said all the council members should look into it, not just assigning that task to Sessions.

When Burch asked Sessions to look into it, Owens was angered and kept talking over Burch’s attempts to wind down that discussion and move the meeting along, which as the president, included running the meetings.

Owens claimed she had the floor numerous times.

Both Campbell and Burch questioned her pronunciation of the word, floor.

“Both of you need to zip it, I have the floor right now,” Owens said.

As Burch called for a five-minute recess and left the dais, Owens continued to rant at Burch.

“You don’t tell people how to run this,” she said. “You don’t run this show.”

Manager focused on infrastructure, development.

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LIVE OAK — Three weeks after Larry Sessions took the job, the Live Oak city manager’s office is still mostly barren.

The city’s code of ordinances sit alone on the bookshelf behind Sessions’ desk and one of the new electric water meters the city is installing is joined on his desk by a small stack of folders of recent interviewees for an open receptionist position.

But the city’s interim administrator has added three quotes on a dry erase board, three mantras that he said sum up him and his leadership for the city.

“Those three things right there are how I am,” Sessions said Monday.

One of the quotes on the board, “Truth has no defense against a good determined to believe a lie,” has occurred recently Sessions said without going into any more details.

But another, “In the pursuit of excellence there is no finish line,” is a statement that Sessions said he has carried with him wherever he’s gone.

Currently also serving as the administrator of the Suwannee Valley Transit Authority, a position he’s held since April 2015, Sessions is a former Suwannee County commissioner and serves on the Suwannee River Water Management District board as well as the Suwannee County Conservation District.

He worked previously as an operations manager with Mayo Fertilizer, Quest Aviation and UPS in Gainesville, Lake City, Daytona, Jacksonville and Valdosta, Georgia.

“You don’t ever quit because you’ll never get there,” Sessions said. “But you have to strive to get there. That’s always been my UPS one forever. Walk in to a new place and it would go on my board.”

The final quote is simple and straightforward: “Communication is the key!”

“That 13-letter word down there on the end is a big problem for a lot of people,” Sessions said.

But communication won’t be a problem for Live Oak’s interim manager, he said. His third day on the job, Sessions said he filled his office with chairs and called every person that works at Live Oak City Hall into the room for a quick talk, trying to cut out any problems before they started. He said in addition to addressing a concern about his dual leadership roles at the city and the SVTA, Sessions used the meeting to let the employees know he was always open to hear from them about any potential issues.

“I said you can come in my door, it’s always open,” Sessions said. “If you have a problem, you come to me. If we can’t hash it out, nobody can hash it out. I’m going to work with everybody I can.”

Sessions’ work with the city, much like his previous stops, is to try to streamline processes and make the operation run more efficiently.

So far, that has meant learning who works in what department and who is responsible for what task. It also means a close eye on the bottom line, spending the majority of his time so far working with water and sewer and the finance department.

“I’m going to learn and do my best to improve what we have going on,” he said, adding he’s already begun to look at the city’s budget for next year while also instructing staff that if there’s a cheaper way to do things, that will occur.

Session added that he hopes his time with the city will also lead to lessening the burden on the city’s residents. To that end, Sessions is open to development within the city, as long as it is the “right growth.” He has also hired a grant writer for the city — Kat Meeks Bass — with the instructions to focus on infrastructure, hoping to fix the city’s water and sewer lines and then start on trying to pave additional roads.

That growth is currently occurring on the city’s north end near the Interstate 10 and U.S. Highway 129 interchange. Sessions said the city is willing to help developers near there continue to bring in additional business.

“For them to develop that, I think it’s fantastic for us,” Sessions said of the old rock mine that now has unearthed a new Publix and Ag Pro with additional room for growth along U.S. 129. “There’s a long list of people that I think you’ll see coming in that will benefit the community.”

That benefit will come with less tax burden on the individual residents. But to make it happen, Sessions said he will look to make the city more attractive. He wants to put the city on equal footing with the county when it comes to rules and regulations.

“It’s all going to be on one page, that’s going to be my goal,” he said. “If you move 500 feet, there’s not a different set of rules.”

Sessions, who gave a commitment to the city through at least the end of the year, said he will be willing to stay as long as the City Council wants him to do the job.

He added his experience with logistics and his understanding of building from constructing his own home will help him transition into leading the city.

“I’ve got a lot of practical experience in doing things,” he said.

Among that experience has been turning around the Suwannee Valley Transit Authority following “unallowed payouts” to two previous members of administration including Administrator Gwendolyn Pra.

Now, he hopes to improve the city’s fortunes as well.

That is the lone reason he listened when council members reached out to him about filling the role on an interim basis.

“I’m one who likes to take on challenges,” he said. “This is another challenge. My whole career at UPS was fixing places. I just like going in, digging in and try to figure out ways to make things better.

“I just want to fix things in Live Oak. It’s now my hometown. I want to make Live Oak better.”

By JAMIE WACHTER on Friday, May 12, 2023Subhead

Hayes offered task of replacing Croft, who leaves after 21 years.

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LIVE OAK — For the first time in more than two decades, the City of Live Oak is looking for a new fire chief.

Chad Croft is retiring after 36 years with the Live Oak Fire Department, the past 21 as chief, “on or about” June 2, according a retirement letter submitted to the city on April 20.

At the Live Oak City Council meeting Tuesday, Interim City Manager Larry Sessions told the council he has already offered the Assistant Chief Sidney Hayes the job of replacing Croft.

Sessions said he and Hayes have had extensive talks and Hayes is considering his offer.

“Chad has had a great career here,” Sessions said.

Croft did not attend Tuesday’s meeting. Sessions and Mayor Frank Davis said the city will honor Croft for his service at a future meeting.

“I feel my greatest accomplishments were not what was created, but what was prevented, thus the preservation of lives and property though timely response, maintained equipment, well trained staff and the grace of God,” Croft wrote in the letter.

Croft added he hopes to spend the time prior to his retirement further training the LOFD command staff so they are ready for expanded roles upon his departure.

“It is my hope that this City and the Live Oak Fire Department stays the course by striving for excellence when keeping our citizens safe and protected with the quality of service that has been 120 years in the making,” Croft added in the letter, also thanking city staff, management, the firefighters over the years and his family for their support.

Councilman Matt Campbell, who is a physical education teacher at Suwannee Pineview Elementary, said Croft and the LOFD were always willing to help the schools with water days and anyway else they could.

“He’s decided to hang up the hose,” Campbell said. “He was always well-respected throughout our community.”

LOHA APPOINTMENT

The council approved the appointment of Jawanna Coker as a tenant commissioner on the Live Oak Housing Authority board.

Davis recommended Coker’s appointment following short introductions from Coker as well as fellow applicants Shirley Cooper and Christina Johnson. Coker will fill a vacant seat on the board until September.

Her appointment was approved by a 4-1 vote with Councilman Tommie Jefferson dissenting.

Jefferson, whose motion to not approve Coker’s appointment failed for lack of a second, said he preferred Johnson fill the seat due to her “accessibility” that she mentioned in her presentation.

Davis said he believed any of the applicants would be available for other tenants when needed. He added that all appeared qualified and could do the job.

“I can tell they all have a heart for the community,” Davis said. “I could flip a coin here and I think the housing authority would do well with any of these candidates.”

Jefferson also led a discussion later in the meeting, echoed by Councilwoman Lynda Owens, about the city’s policy and procedure when it came to making board appointments.

City Clerk John Gill said that Brantly Helvenston IV, a current member of the LOHA board, is looking to step down from that position but would remain until a replacement is found. Council President David Burch asked how the city could advertise to fill that position.

The tenant position was not advertised, depending on word of mouth to attract applicants.

“If we’re going to fill a position, it should be uniform,” Owens said.

Davis said he agreed.

WALKER PARKING

Sessions also informed the council after previous discussions about the lack of striped parking on Walker Avenue that the roadway is not wide enough to legally park there.

According to Sessions, he personally measured the roadway at 40.6 feet wide. According to Florida Department of Transportation guidelines, the travel lanes require 24 feet and an additional 8.5 feet are needed for parking on each side.

“The street just isn’t wide enough to do it,” Sessions said.

Owens stressed that it wasn’t the city’s decision to get rid of the parking.

SVTA admin willing to serve city rest of year.

LIVE OAK — The head of the Suwannee Valley Transit Authority will now try to provide a steady hand at the wheel for the City of Live Oak.

The Live Oak City Council, with no discussion, unanimously approved Larry Sessions as its interim city manager at Tuesday’s council meeting. That appointment, once finalized, will allow George Curtis to return to his previous role as the city’s development manager.

“All I want to do is help Live Oak,” Sessions said during brief remarks to the council after a motion was originally made by Lynda Owens to appoint him to the position. “I’m a hard worker. I’m not a politician, by any means. If I accept the job to do things, I’m going to do it and carry out my responsibilities in an ethical manner.

“I want to see Live Oak thrive.”

That hard work will come once Sessions and City Attorney Todd Kennon are able to negotiate on the terms of his employment. Kennon told the council he had already drawn up a basic agreement with blanks to fill in during negotiations.

Sessions said Wednesday he is willing to serve as the city’s interim manager until the end of the year, but that will depend on how long the city needs him.

He added he continues to plan to work at the SVTA, spending time there in the mornings before going to the city.

Kennon added that with Sessions’ experience, it shouldn’t take long to come to an agreement.

“This isn’t his first rodeo,” Kennon said.

Sessions, as well as a pair of residents supporting him, pointed to his experience as why he would make a good interim manager.

Sessions, who worked as an operations manager with Mayo Fertilizer, Quest Aviation and UPS in Gainesville, Lake City, Daytona, Jacksonville and Valdosta, Georgia, was a Suwannee County Commissioner for four years. During that time, he was selected to take over the troubled SVTA.

Sessions, who also currently serves on the Suwannee River Water Management District board, pointed out that within seven months he had paid off a loan that previously had just been having interest payments made.

“It was in very bad shape seven and a half years ago,” he said. “If you choose me, you’ll get a lot of hard work out of me.”

Wayne Hannaka with the Concerned Citizens of North Florida and Kin Weaver also said Sessions was the right person for Live Oak. Hannaka said the turnaround at the transit authority was worth supporting.

“I think he can help change the city,” Hannaka said.

Weaver, who ran for commissioner against Sessions, said his work speaks for itself.

“If you want something done in a correct, moral, ethical manner and what employees treated in a correct, moral and ethical manner,” Weaver said, adding he thought Sessions should be the permanent choice as well. “He does what he says he’s going to. He turned around the Suwannee Valley Mass Transit and he can do the same for the City of Live Oak.”

After the original motion was made to select Sessions, Councilman Matt Campbell requested to hear from any of the three candidates that wanted to speak. Ivek Hurley, a district install manager with Home Depot in St. Cloud, did not attend the meeting.

Former Live Oak Community Redevelopment Agency Director Gabrielle Redfern said she fell in love with the city once she arrived after previously working as the chief of staff for the mayor in the City of Miami Beach.

Redfern applied to be the city manager in 2020 when Ron Williams announced his pending retirement. She resigned from the city during that process.

“Everyone that knows me knows I can do this job and do it well,” Redfern said. “It would be my honor and privilege and pleasure to work very hard at this very important job of seeing Live Oak reach its amazing potential.”

PERMANENT SEARCH

The council was also scheduled to discuss advertising for the permanent manager position. However, when it came time for that item on the agenda, Owens said the matter had already been discussed.

Briefly during discussion prior to the interim vote, Kennon advised the council that the search for the permanent manager would impact how long an interim would be needed. Kennon added the interim choice is also able to apply for the job permanently.

The council will reconsider advertising for the permanent position at a future meeting.

WATER METERS

Jerald Lee, the city’s new public works director, told the council that the installation of the new smart water meters was about 85% complete and could be finished by the end of the week.

Campbell, who requested the update, said one residence in his district experienced a leak after the installation that caused a water bill of more than $4,000. Through an appeal, that bill was negotiated down to approximately $700, still above the normal bill of $150.

“At some point we have to do something to make it right for these people,” Campbell said.

Lee said city employees and the contractor were doing everything they could to help limit the leaks.

Campbell also requested if the council could hold a workshop on code enforcement policy and procedures as he feels it is not being applied evenly.

Curtis said the city follows a statutory process.

 I’m amazed how the City of Live Oak Council cries poor yet the only representative at the Florida delegation meeting last Friday was the Mayor. Even after the Mayor reminded the council of the delegation meeting at last week’s council meeting. It was embarrassing for Cory Simon to call each members name with no response. Were the council members too busy to attend or do they just not care to try get some funds from the state? I realize people have jobs, but could they not gotten off two hours early to attend and plead their case for funds. 

Email sent to each council member:  Council member;
I always say I will tell you when you have done well and will also tell you when you have not. This is a have not.
I am amazed how the City of Live Oak Council cries poor yet the only representative at the Florida delegation meeting last Friday was the Mayor. Even after he reminded the council of the delegation meeting at last weeks council meeting. It was embarrassing for Senator Cory Simon to call each member’s name with no response. We’re the council members too busy to attend or do they just not care to try to get funds from the state? I realize people have jobs, but could they not get off two hours early to attend and plead their case for funds. Thank you Mayor for attending.
 

On another subject, the latest call to terminate the city manager and clean up the permit process I urge you to watch the last fifteen minutes of BOCC meeting on January 17th to see how it can be done. Here is the link;
https://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=PVedFKfTFck
I would hope you find a way to streamline the permit process or at very least talk to the county for some help. You are currently spending $120,000 for a part time building official, perhaps evaluating a realistic salary for that position would be more efficient and cost effective.
 

Thank you for your time.
Wayne Hannaka 

Only Councilman Campbell replied :  

Good Afternoon, 

Thanks for your input. I pride myself on accountability and transparency pertaining to all issues. I didn’t recall the Mayor reminding us of the meeting and I received an email about it 10 am the morning of the meeting. Either way I would not have been in attendance as I was in a State mandated Youth Mental Health Training and my daughter Maci had SHS Varsity Soccer Senior Night. I will ALWAYS put my family first and you will NEVER hear me apologize for doing so. 

My main priority right now is streamlining the process of permitting to be as “business and contractor friendly” as possible.  The county and other cities do it and so can we. If that involves changing City Managers then that’s what I am prepared to do. I can assure you that I am doing everything in my power to facilitate this but have to run things through our City Attorney so as to avoid Sunshine Law violations.  I have considered and will continue to consider all recommendations and suggestions made by the public and professionals alike.  Thanks again for your input and time and as always, feel free to reach out to me at any time!