At The Commission - Migrant Housing, Marijuana

LABELLE, FL. -- The following is a highlight of the Hendry County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting held on Tuesday, February 14 at Clewiston City Hall.

Bids

· Bid #2017-04 – Construction of CR 78 Sidewalks – Local Agency Program (LAP) Agreement Project - Bids were opened on January 25, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. for the construction of sidewalks along CR 78 for Phase IV – Nobles Road to Kell Mill Boulevard and Phase V from Crescent Avenue SW to Nobles Road. The construction of the sidewalks will complete the right-of way improvements to CR 78 from Kell Mill Boulevard to Crescent Ares Avenue SW that was designed in five phases. Most of the construction and design was funded by the FDOT. The Board approved the lowest bidder Central Concrete Products, Inc.

Awards, Appearances, and Presentations

· Engineer’s Week Resolution – Representative of the Calusa Chapter of Florida Engineering Society were on hand to receive the resolution. The resolution proclaims February 19-25, 2017 as Engineers Week. The Board recognizes and honors all engineers who live and work in Hendry County and who practice the profession of engineering in an honorable, responsible, and competent manner and those students who have chosen to be educated in the field of engineering.

· Presentation from Tetra Tech Regarding the Force Main Project from Airglades Airport to the City of Clewiston – Danny Nelson, P.E. from Tetra Tech lead the presentation. The due diligence phase of this project has been completed. A preferred route has been established along the US27 corridor using existing utility grade easements, then would cut through agricultural lands and then tie into the Clewiston Facility. The total estimated cost for the Force Main is $3.58 million. Later during the meeting the Board approved Tetra Tech to begin the feasibility study and design portion of the project which is expected to be completed by end of 2017.

Public Hearing

· First Reading: Ordinance Establishing a Moratorium on Permitting Medical Marijuana Dispensaries and Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers – This ordinance is based on Amendment 2. The temporary moratorium of nine (9) months on these facilities is to allow Hendry County staff sufficient time to determine what uses are best suited to a particular zoning category and how best to formulate land development regulations that appropriately govern the use of real property for purposes of distributing or dispensing marijuana and related activities. The second reading will be held at the February 28 BOCC meeting in LaBelle, at which time the Board will vote.

Other Business

· Commissioner Karson Turner requested staff and the County Attorney look into the possibility of a one (1) year moratorium on migrant housing and migrant camp permits. This will allow staff to take inventory of currently licensed locations, determine the needs for adequate and safe migrant housing, and ensure locations fit with Hendry County future Land Use regulations. The Commissioner request this item be brought before the board at the second meeting in March.