Bob Crawford Agriculture Center

605 East Main Street, Suite 106

Bartow, Florida

10:00 a.m.

Vice Chairman Jeff Carlson called the meeting to order. Pat Huff lead the Council in prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Roll was called and the following members were present.

Jackie Tucker Gordon Norris

Charles Smith Jeff Carlson

Jim Rimer Gene Woods

Michael Ratliff Pat Huff

Howard Wiggs Jeff Potter

John Morgan Maryemma Bachelder

Brenda Arnold Tamra McBride

Members absent were:

Bill Altman, excused Roosevelt Johnson, unexcused

Bob Bullard, excused James Kirk, unexcused

Randy Wilkinson, unexcused Charles Richardson, excused

Norman White, Council Attorney, swore into office Mr. Jeff Potter from the City of Winter Haven. Mr. Potter will replace Mr. Mike Easterling on the Council.

Doug Leonard stated he would like to add an item to the Agenda regarding staff’s major medical insurance. It was placed at the end of the Agenda.

Vice Chairman Carlson asked if there were any corrections, deletions, or additions to the November 6, 2002, Council meeting minutes.

There being none, Pat Huff moved to approve the November 6, 2002, Council meeting minutes as presented. Jackie Tucker seconded.

Motion carried unanimously.

Representatives from FDOT conducted a public hearing addressing their Tentative Five Year Work Program for FY 2003-04—2007-08, followed by a public testimony period. This public hearing was conducted pursuant to Section 339.135(4c), F.S. The public was invited to review the FDOT’s District One and the Turnpike District’s Tentative Five Year Work Programs. FDOT staff was available for discussion and assistance.

Doug Leonard referred to the Interlocal Agreement distributed to Council Members in their meeting material. He stated that a new, self-enclosed, 40 foot long, mass decontamination trailer valued at approximately $210,000.00 was provided through a grant to the Council from the Division of Emergency Management, Florida Department of Community Affairs. The agreement provides the Polk County Fire Services Hazardous Materials Team with title to the trailer so that they can insure it, and be responsible for the upkeep and maintenance, among other things. It will be used to decontaminate large numbers of patients from chemicals or weapons of mass destruction events throughout the entire five county region. This agreement went before the Polk County Commission on December 18, 2002.

After questions and discussion, Howard Wiggs moved to approve the Interlocal Agreement with Polk County for the Mass Decontamination Trailer. Gordon Norris seconded.

Motion carried unanimously.

Doug Leonard discussed with the Council the possibility of transmitting Developments of Regional Impact (DRI) staff reports, and other documents, via electronic transmission as opposed to sending hard copies through the mail. He asked members if they had access to computers to obtain documents. Most Council members did, and thought it was a good idea to take advantage of the technology available.

Council Consultants provided an assessment of the impacts of development within the Peace River basin with particular focus on the impacts of phosphate mining. This effort is in response to significant issues raised through the Team Permitting Process for the proposed IMC Phosphates Ona and Pine Level Mines and Farmland Hickory Creek Mine. The power point presentations included the initial results of the hydrology and habitat fragmentation models as well as economic impact data.

Doug Leonard, Executive Director, stated that staff is required to update the Central Florida Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy each year. The Executive Summary and Goals and Objectives were mailed to each member for their review prior to the meeting. Mr. Leonard asked the Council to approve the update to the Central Florida Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for 2002.

Gordon Norris moved to approve the update to the Central Florida Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for 2002. Pat Huff seconded.

Motion carried unanimously.

Doug Leonard distributed some current and proposed insurance information to the Council members for their consideration. He stated that the plan currently in place is a Point of Service plan, and the premium is increasing 33% for next year. He stated that he had considered alternatives, and is proposing to the Council a plan that is basically the same coverage, but staff’s co-pays and prescriptions will increase. With the proposed plan, the savings overall, in terms of the premiums, will be about $1,200 per month to the Council.

After discussion, Jackie Tucker moved to approve the proposed plan as presented. Mike Ratliff seconded.

Motion carried unanimously.

The next meeting was scheduled for January 8, 2003, in DeSoto County at the County Commission Chambers, at 9:30 a.m.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned.

Respectfully Submitted,

________________________________

R. Douglas Leonard, Executive Director