TO: FROM: Lake County Water Authority Board of Trustees Michael J. Perry, Executive Director DATE: May 15, 2018 SUBJECT: Review of Annual Report and Five-Year Plan Discussion Item Review/Approval of 2017 Annual Report Staff has prepared the draft version of the 2017 Annual Report. A copy of the Annual Report and Five-Year Plan spreadsheet describing how the Five-Year Plan projects and expenditures could be budgeted over the five-year planning window is provided to the Board for review and comment. The Board can provide revisions or comments to staff for inclusion into a revised document for Board approval. The Board determines its budget each year and while the five-year plan does not obligate a future board to budget in accordance with the plan. It can be used as a planning tool to anticipate future expenditures and plan for larger multi-year construction projects. The report will be distributed to the Senate President, Speaker of the House, the legislative delegation and local elected officials. Executive Director Recommendation: 1) Provide comments and/or revisions to the Executive Director; or 2) Authorize the Executive Director to transmit the Annual Report and Five-Year Plan to the Senate President, Speaker of the House, the legislative delegation and local elected officials in accordance with the guiding legislation.
TO: FROM: Lake County Water Authority Board of Trustees Ben Gugliotti, Land Resources Director DATE: May 7, 2018 SUBJECT: Wolf Branch Sink Preserve Timber Agreement Consent Item Authorization to Release Timber Bid - UPDATE At the November 2017 meeting, staff received approval from the Water Authority Board to release a bid to harvest timber at Wolf Branch Sink Preserve. The initial plantings of longleaf pine on the Preserves were a land management tool used to restore impacted public lands to historic natural communities such as flatwoods and/or sandhill habitats. Staff has been working to restore the properties to reflect healthy diverse habitats, to minimize fire suppressed areas, to minimize wildfire threats and to control invasive species. Staff is proposing to harvest pines at Wolf Branch Sink Preserve. Some pines were planted by previous owners and others were planted in 1994 by Water Authority staff and contractors. Based upon preliminary surveys by two foresters, the Wolf Branch timber would be desirable during the rainy season because it is high and dry and accessible to timber companies to harvest even during wet periods. In order to continue the restoration work on Wolf Branch, staff is recommending that approximately 108 acres out of the Preserve s total 154 acres be considered for thinning. Thinning will allow the remaining longleaf to grow properly, allow staff to continue responsible burning, reduce the wildfire threat, increase the biodiversity and potentially provide up to $24,300 in income. Staff worked with Mr. Jim Thorsen, retired forester from the Ocala National Forest and current arborist for the City of Eustis, for the Sawgrass Island Preserve timber sale. Staff originally proposed working with Mr. Thorsen again for Wolf Branch; however, after getting approval from the Board to commence the timber project, staff was notified by Mr. Thorsen that he will not be able to complete the project. Mr. Thorsen recommended another forester for the project, Joe Gocsik, Certified Forester with Forest Environmental Solutions, LLC. Mr. Gocsik is already a subcontractor for one of our Board approved Land Management Services contractors, Alshouse & Associates, LLC. On February 22, 2018, staff visited Wolf Branch with Mr. Gocsik to view the timber and site and consult on a price to oversee the bid and the sale. The project management by the contractor will include marking the pine trees that will be saved, helping to develop the bid package, marketing the timber bid, attending the pre-bid meeting and tour, assisting staff with the selection of a reputable timber company, overseeing and inspecting the timber operations and helping staff
with any issues throughout the process. Once the bid is awarded, the forester will keep an eye on the timber company as they harvest designated pines, minimize damage to the leave trees, property and roadway and to document the amount of timber that is harvested. At the November 2017 meeting, the Board approved Jim Thorsen s quote of $10,200 to manage the Wolf Branch Timber harvest. The new quote by Alshouse & Associates, LLC is $10,700 to manage the project (proposal attached). The $10,700 to hire the forester can be transferred from Acct. 720-460, Repair and Maintenance, to Acct 720-340, Other Contractual Services. It is anticipated that the income from the timber sale should cover the cost of hiring a contractor to oversee the timber project. Once the bids are received, staff will return to the Board to get approval to award the timber harvest project to a timber company. Executive Director s Recommendation: 1. Approve Alshouse & Associates proposal for an amount not to exceed $10,700 to oversee the Wolf Branch Sink Preserve Timber Harvest project. 2. Authorize transfer of $10,700 from Account 720-460, Repair and Maintenance, to Account 720-340, Other Contractual Services, to pay the Contactor/Forester to oversee the Wolf Branch Sink Timber Harvest.
TO: FROM: Lake County Water Authority Board of Trustees Ron Hart, Water Resources Director DATE: May 9, 2018 SUBJECT: Manatee Calf Naming Contest Discussion Item Manatee Calf Naming Contest Leesburg the Manatee and her 2 friends were the first ever documented cases of manatees on the Harris Chain of Lakes. In her first winter, Leesburg was unable to locate a suitable warm water refuge and suffered severe cold damage. She was rescued and recovered at the Lowery Park Zoo. When better, she was released into the St Johns River with a radio tracking collar. She immediately made a bee line for the Ocklawaha River and swam up to Lake Griffin. After rounding Lake Griffin, she entered Haynes Creek and passed through the lock to Lake Eustis. She them followed the shoreline to the Dead River and along Lake Harris back to Leesburg. That winter, Leesburg kept warm in Bugg Springs and in the springs along the Palatlakaha River. However, she had lost her radio tracking collar. Scientists attempted to attach a new collar in Bugg Springs, but were unsucessful. They were able to examine her enough to determine that she was pregnant for the first time. They estimated that the calf would be born around May 2017. Once a resident reported a manatee with a calf in June 2017, staff immediately began a campaign to submit names for the calf. Over 60 names were submitted by the public. However since then, there were no additional sightings to comfirm the calf s existence. After many months had passed without any sightings, staff suspected the worst. First time mother manatees have a fairly low calf survival rate. The calf naming program was suspended. However, things changed late this winter. As scientists combed through photographs of the manatees utilizing the warm
springs on the St Johns River. They found a photo of a manatee that they were able to positively identify as Leesburg. More importantly, she had a young calf. With this good news, staff collected the most popular requested names and submitted them to the manatee researchers to see if they were available for use. After submiting approximately 20 names, the first four available were: Sunset Miracle Dora Sherbet Staff lsted these names on the Water Authority website and citizens were asked to select their favorite. Staff also sent out a press release informing residents of the calf naming campaign and where to vote. Unfortunately, only one small paper (Lake Leader) decided to post the news release, so response was not as good as hoped. Now it is the Board s turn to decide which name to choose. The public has provided the following votes on the names: 5 votes for Sunset 5 votes for Miracle 4 votes for Sherbet 3 votes for Dora
Based on the votes by the public, staff recommends selecting either Sunset or Miracle. After the Board approves a name, staff will submit the name to the manatee scientists at Sea to Shore Alliance and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for acceptance of the official name. Executive Director s Recommendation: Authorize staff to submit the name of Sunset or Miracle for the name of Leesburg s calf.
TO: FROM: Lake County Water Authority Board of Trustees Ron Hart, Water Resources Director DATE: May 8, 2018 SUBJECT: NuRF Dredge Pipeline Purchase Action Item NuRF Dredge Pipeline Purchase Regular consistent high flows for long durations filled the NuRF s two 9-acre ponds with floc. To remove this accumulation and decrease the discharge of floc downstream, staff operated the dredges and centrifuge 24- hours a day, 7 days a week. Even with these efforts, floc was being discharged downstream due to the flows being over 250 cubic feet per second and the ponds being full. To reduce discharges downstream, the Board approved a contract with Jahna to pump the sludge directly untreated to our disposal area (Figure 1). As part of this proposal, Jahna provided their own HDPE pipe and fused sections for attachment to one of our dredges. This design allowed both dredges to be utilized at the same time and recovered some settling areas in the floc ponds very quickly once the flows decreased. The following were Jahna s detailed cost: Mobilization $12,641 Demobilization $ 8,770 Weekly Operation 24/7 $11,037 Wet Disposal Area 2 nd Dredge pipeline Dry Disposal Area Interior Levee Upon completion of this work, the LCWA Board directed staff to inquire about the cost to purchase the pipeline. Jahna has responded that Figure 1. Pipeline Layout and Sludge Containment Area at the NuRF.
the cost would be a total of $13,322. Since demobilization is $8,770, the additional cost to purchase is $4,552. Staff has compared other prices on-line and the cheapest found was $6.20/foot. $6.20 x 1,500 feet equals $9,300 plus shipping and fusion. If we were to also go this route we would still have to pay Jahna for demobilization at $8,770. Staff s recommendation is to pay Jahna the $13,322 and save the cost of demobilization. Executive Director s Recommendation: Authorize the Executive Director to purchase the on-site HDPE pipeline from Jahna for $13,322 and eliminate the $8,770 cost of demobilization from their contract.
TO: FROM: Lake County Water Authority Board of Trustees Ben Gugliotti, Land Resources Director DATE: May 9, 2018 SUBJECT: Request for Additional Sawgrass Island Preserve Access Gate Discussion Item Request for Additional Sawgrass Island Preserve Access Gate At the January 24 th Lake County Water Authority Board Meeting, Kathy Wainwright, during public comment period, requested that the Water Authority allow the installation of an access gate between the private properties located along Trails End, (a private lane), and the Sawgrass Island Preserve. Generally, the Water Authority does not allow private access gates into the preserves, but Mrs. Wainwright said that she and her neighbors would be willing to allow public access. The board asked staff to contact Mrs. Wainwright and discuss the issue and bring it back as an agenda item at a future meeting. The proposed gate would actually allow access to the internal dirt road that runs between the northern and southern parking areas. Currently, visitors enter the west side of the property from Sawgrass Island Road. The southern parking lot is immediately to your right. The internal road is to your left and runs north, past the site residence to the northern parking lot. There is an internal fence between the internal road and the rest of the Preserve. There are eight parcels between Thomas Boat Landing and Sawgrass Island Preserve that are adjacent to Trails End; four north of Trails End and four south. Trails End is a private dirt road approximately 50 feet wide fence to fence and is the primary access for six of the parcels (the two parcels that have frontage on Thomas Boat Landing Road have driveways directly onto Thomas Boat Landing Road). Starting at Thomas Boat Landing Road, Trails End continues east through six of the parcels, and then splits (north and south) into the last two parcels. Currently, Trails End appears to be wholly contained on the three parcels south of Trails End, starting at Thomas Boat Landing Road and then heading east (Weissman, Wainwright, and Paquette). The fourth, southern parcel (Shipman) would be required to continue Trails End east to the Sawgrass Island Preserve boundary. Staff contacted Mrs. Wainwright and asked her to submit a written proposal. After receiving the proposal, staff reviewed it with the Executive Director and emailed Mrs. Wainwright with some recommendations. Staff explained that we could not speak for the LCWA Board, but it was staff s understanding that the only way they would consider the proposal is if it was a publicly dedicated access easement, similar to the easement for Sawgrass Island Road. Staff recommended that she contact the Lake County Right of Way Department to get ideas for what type of access easement might best suit their proposal. Staff also explained that they should not
begin any legal preparations until they received some direction from the Board. Staff has attached the revised proposal including signatures from her neighbors. As one of the reasons for her request, Mrs. Wainwright cited concern for her granddaughter having to ride her horse down Thomas Boat Landing Road in order to get to the Preserve. Based on the Lake County Interactive GIS Map, the distance from Trails End, down Thomas Boat Landing Road to Sawgrass Island Road is approximately 2,000 feet or 0.38 of a mile. Staff would like to encourage the public to utilize the Preserve, but are also concerned about the number of access gates on the Preserves. The Water Authority must close the property from time to time, usually for safety reasons, (during hurricanes or wildfire) or to protect the resource from damage (such as looting at Crooked River Preserve). Minimizing the number of gates/access points allows staff to quickly and efficiently secure the property if needed. The item was discussed at the April LCWA Board Meeting, but some of the property owners appeared to be confused on some of the details in the proposal. The Board held off on making a decision and asked that the proposal details be confirmed and the revised proposal be brought back to a future Board Meeting. Executive Director s Recommendation: Deny the request for an additional access gate into Sawgrass Island Preserve.
TO: FROM: Lake County Water Authority Board of Trustees Ron Hart, Water Resources Director DATE: May 8, 2018 SUBJECT: Lake County Fertilizer Ordinance Discussion Item Lake County Fertilizer Ordinance In November the Lake County Water Authority Board, directed staff to present the position of the agency at the Lake County Board of County Commissioners meeting. As a result, the Fertilizer Ordinance passed by a 3-2 vote. Following the meeting, staff was approached by the Mayor of Groveland who expressed his desire to pass matching regulation in their city. Staff has also been informed by our Education Coordinator, Maryann Krisovitch, that the City of Leesburg, Fruitland Park and Lady Lake would also have an interest in implementing a matching ordinance. Staff would like to assist these cities in their adoption of a matching ordinance. However, staff feels uncomfortable in doing so without authorization from the Board. Staff could accomplish this task by making technical information and expertise available at the request of the cities elected officials and executive staff. Ultimately, one uniform countywide ordinance would make it significantly easier for residents and businesses to determine the affected area by applying the rules uniformly within Lake County. It would also further increase the benefit to the lakes, springs, and wetlands by implementing additional reductions to their nutrient loadings. In addition, Lake County Public Works staff requested the Water Authority s participation in printing an informational brochure on the Fertilizer Ordinance. The County covered all the cost of printing and design and only needed a Water Authority logo to include in a list of supporting agencies. The Executive Director approved of the use of our logo and the brochures were printed and a small supply was received for Water Authority use. Staff has attached the scanned copy of the printed brochures. Executive Director s Recommendation: Authorize staff to assist the cities by providing technical support for the adopted Lake County Fertilizer Ordinance.
TO: FROM: Lake County Water Authority Board of Trustees Jason Danaher, Water Resources Project Manager DATE: May 5, 2018 SUBJECT: Lake Yale Whole Lake Alum Treatment, Design-Build Contract Bid Eligibility Discussion Item Lake Yale Whole Lake Alum Treatment Work efforts for this project were initiated by Environmental Research & Design, Inc. (ERD) in February 2015. The primary scope of work was to quantify and rank hydrologic and pollutant loadings to Lake Yale (Figure 1) and to identify potential water quality improvement projects. Field monitoring was conducted by ERD from March 2015 to October 2016. Hydrologic and water quality data was collected for use in developing nutrient budgets for Lake Yale and identify opportunities for nutrient load reductions. Lake Yale can experience oligotrophic to hypereutrophic characteristics depending on the time of year. Historical water quality data indicate a general trend of increasing total phosphorus (TP) concentrations. Phosphorus was identified as the limiting nutrient, indicating a reduction in TP would help prevent unwanted, seasonal algal blooms and excessive aquatic vegetation growth from occurring in the future. The TP released from internal recycling contributes approximately 80% of the phosphorus loading to the lake; therefore, reducing the internal recycling rate of TP would have more benefits to the aquatic ecosystem at the present time rather than focusing on groundwater seepage, which accounts for only 2% of the TP loading at present. ERD evaluated costs to physically remove phosphorus from the lake via dredging and chemical inactivation, using aluminum sulfate, and determined the cost of dredging ($1,197/lb TP) would be significantly greater on a TP per pound basis than treatment with aluminum sulfate ($28/lb TP). In addition, ERD analyzed the water chemistry of Lake Yale and recommends aluminum sulfate be applied once annually to one-quarter of the lake, for four consecutive years until the whole lake is treated. This would prevent potential major swings in ph from occurring during a single, whole lake aluminum sulfate treatment. Staff would like to proceed forward with the next phase of a nutrient mitigation plan for Lake Yale based on the findings of ERD, which include inactivation of TP concentrations using aluminum sulfate. In order to do so staff is requesting the board s input as to whether or not ERD
can participate in the design-build bid process for a firm desiring to provide professional services to the Lake County Water Authority in treatment of Lake Yale. In reviewing the 2010 Florida Statues Chapter 287, Section 055 (Appendix A) the report produced by ERD does not fully meet the definition of a design criteria package. If ERD produced a design-criteria package it would render ERD ineligible to bid their services through a design-build contract. Specifically the report does not provide an application strategy plan with performance-based criteria, which we would request from firms participating in the bid process for a design-build contract. The original scope of work staff requested of ERD did not ask for an application strategy plan because at the time staff needed to first identify underlying factors contributing to the condition in Lake Yale and requested possible solutions to diminish any variables moving forward. There are only a few firms in the United States capable of a executing a project the scale of Lake Yale. When a bid is produced and made available to the public we want to ensure it is open to all credible firms so that we may review their services and make an appropriate selection for a design-build contract. Figure 1. Lake Yale, site of the hydrologic/nutrient budget evaluation study. N Executive Director s Recommendation: Provide direction to staff whether or not ERD would be eligible to participate in the bid process for a design-build contract and how to proceed forward with the bid process.
TO: FROM: Lake County Water Authority Board of Trustees Ron Hart, Water Resources Program Director DATE: May 8, 2018 SUBJECT: Lake Denham Muck Farm Purchase Discussion Item Lake Denham Muck Farm Purchase Lake Denham is a 252 acre waterbody connected to the west end of Lake Harris via Helena Run (Figure 1). The lake has a 6,641 acre watershed that is composed primarily of wetlands (50%), agriculture (20%), and urban development (7%). It has also been identified by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) as a waterbody that does not meet the Numeric Figure 1. The Lake Denham Watershed as identified in the Florida Department of Environmental Protection s Report titled Nutrient TMDL for Lake Denham.
Nutrient Criteria and is not projected to meet the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) requirements unless nutrient reduction projects are implemented. The FDEP report sets a goal for the Total Phosphorus concentrations in the lake at 50ppb. For the modeling period of 2000-2012, the measured average Total Phosphorus was 95 ppb. They also provided a modeling report that included a proposed nutrient budget for Lake Denham (Table 1). Sources of TP (lbs/yr) TMDL loading Controllable loading Controllable % contribution Reduction needed to meet TMDL Atmospheric Deposition 77.2 0 0% 0 Seepage/groundwater includes 15.4 0 0% 0 septic Muck Farm 1101.6 1101.6 66.9% 672.4 Stormwater Natural Areas Developed Areas Industrial Table 1. Lake Denham Nutrient Budget developed by DEP. 1380.3 835.3 299.7 26.5 0 299.7 26.5 0% 18.2% 1.6% 0 182.9 16.2 Mining 0.8 0.8 0% 0.5 Internal Loading 727.5 0 0% 0 Agriculture 218.9 218.9 13.3% 133.6 Loading Information Lbs per year Total P-loading (lbs/yr) 3302.8 1647.5 100% 1005.6 Total Maximum Daily Load 1569.7 (lbs/yr) Total reduction needed in P- 1733.1 loading TP Reduction needed in watershed without internal loading 1005.6 The largest controllable source of nutrients to Lake Denham by a large margin is the Muck Farm with 1101.6 lbs of TP/year or 66.9% of the controlable lake load. If this source alone is eliminated, it is projected that the loading to the lake would be reduced more than enough to meet the TMDL requirements. If this extremely large load is not eliminated then it is extremely unlikely that the lake will ever meet the load reductions necessary to reach the water quality goals.
Okahumpka Marsh (LCWA) Muck Farm Parcels Flat Island Preserve (LCWA) Lake Denham Figure 2. Muck Farm at Lake Denham and adjoining Flat Island Preserve. The Lake Denham Muck Farm is located just north of the LCWA owned Flat Island Preserve (Figure 2). It is composed of 6 parcels and covers a total area of 563 acres. Staff has researched the parcels that comprise the muck farm by utilizing the the Lake County Property Appraisor s records. The farm consist of 344 acres of muck cropland, 208 acres of wetlands, and 12 acres of agricultural homesite. Approximately 4 months ago, staff sent a letter to Dusam Investments inquiring about the possibility of selling the farm. Two weeks ago, Dustin Calhoun responded and indicated that he and his sister Sherry were the authorized agents for the property and they would be interested in entertaining an offer to sell. They also inquired about the procedures the LCWA would follow in purchasing the property. I promptly responded with the following: Dustin and Sherry, I have requested that the item be placed on our board s agenda for May 23 rd with a recommendation to proceed with an appraisal on the property. We will need to, as soon as
possible, clarify the parcels in which you are interested in selling. Our interest centers around the muck farm and wetlands. If a parcel includes a portion of wetlands, we would still be interested. We would also be interested in additional lands if they are necessary for access to the site. Of course, you are in charge and we will only proceed in a manner that all parties agree. We are certainly willing to consider any modifications or conditions based on your requirements. I have provided the following summary that describes how our process typically works: 1. The Lake County Water Authority (LCWA) expresses an interest to purchase a parcel of land. 2. The seller expresses an interest to sell. 3. The LCWA performs an appraisal on the land and an environmental assessment. 4. The LCWA Board reviews the appraisal and makes an offer to the seller. 5. If the parties agree, then the sale takes place. 6. If the parties do not agree and the seller is still interested in selling the land to the LCWA, the seller can hire his own independent appraiser for comparison to the LCWA appraisal. 7. Again, if the parties agree, then the sale takes place. 8. If the parties do not agree and the seller is still interested in selling the land to the LCWA, the two parties can agree to each fund half the cost of a third independent appraisal that would hopefully establish credibility for one of the previously performed appraisals. 9. Again, if the parties agree, then the sale takes place. If not, both parties walk away with no hard feelings. I have attached the following image that shows the parcels that would be of greatest interest. After speaking to our Board Chairman yesterday, we would probably also be interested in the parcels that come into direct contact with the wetlands. Again, we are open to any direction you would recommend. Ron Hart Water Resources Director Lake County Water Authority I am currenty awaiting a response from Dusting and Sherry outlining the parcels they would be interested in selling. The additional areas adjacent to the farm parcels would increase the cost. I hope to have this parcel information prior to the board meeting. Should the Board desire to proceed, staff recommends working with the SJRWMD to secure an appraisal on the muck farm and acquiring a phase 1 envoronmental assessment. Also, staff will provide regular updates to the Board and make sure the owners of the farm are informed regarding the process.
Executive Director Recommendation: Authorize staff to work with SJRWMD to secure an appraisal and a Phase 1 Environmental Assessment for the Lake Denham Muck Farm.
TO: FROM: Lake County Water Authority Board of Trustees Michael J. Perry, Executive Director DATE: May 14, 2018 SUBJECT: Board Personnel Manual Issues Discussion Item Board Personnel Manual Issues The following are Board Personnel Manual issues that were discussed at the April 2018 Board meeting that were to come back to the Board for additional discussion. These items would require Board action to change. Firearms Section 5 of the Water Authority s Policies and Practices Employee Manual (attached) states that: The Water Authority prohibits the possession of firearms or other weapons on Water Authority premises or property by employees, former employees, visitors or other persons (on-duty law enforcement officers are excluded from this provision). The County has recently amended its Workplace Violence policy (attached) as follows: C. To the extent permitted by law, the County prohibits the possession of weapons or firearms, as those terms are defined in Section 790.001, Florida Statutes, on County premises or properties; provided, however, that this prohibition does not apply in the following circumstances: 1. Possession of a weapon or firearm is permitted when it is a necessary and approved requirement of the employee s job. The employee shall be required to have any necessary State of Florida licenses prior to being authorized to possess a weapon or firearm under this exception. 2. Possession of a weapon or firearm is permitted when an employee is properly licensed under Section 790.06, Florida Statutes. 3. Possession of a weapon or firearm is permitted when an employee complies with Section 790.251, Florida Statutes.
Water Authority staff have asked if the Water Authority would amend its Workplace Violence policy to allow that the possession of a weapon or firearm is permitted when an employee is properly licensed under Section 790.06, Florida Statutes and that the possession of a weapon or firearm is permitted when an employee complies with Section 790.251, Florida Statutes. Staff would recommend the adoption of a policy similar to the recently revised County policy regarding possession of weapons or firearms. Update - Although the County Commission voted to amend its Workplace Violence policy, the County Attorney was directed to prepare a list of places where possession of firearms is not allowed, such as the BCC Chambers. Water Authority staff could do the same if the Board desires to continue with amending the Water Authority Workplace Violence policy. Grievance Policy Chairman Bryant has requested that the Board review Section 30 of the Water Authority s Policies and Practices Employee Manual (attached) and to include a procedure for addressing grievances involving the Executive Director. The Board directed staff to amend the policy to include language stating that In instances of a grievance against the Executive Director, the employee can initiate the complaint with any Board Member, who will then inform the Attorney. The Attorney is then required to disseminate the information regarding the complaint to the rest of the Board Members. The draft policy revision is attached. Sick Leave Payout Chairman Bryant has requested that the Board review Section 20 of the Water Authority s Policies and Practices Employee Manual (attached) regarding sick leave payout. The Board last acted on this issue at its December 14, 2016 meeting. The minutes are attached. Mr. Farner made a motion to modify the water authority s policy regarding sick leave payout eligibility to be the same as the tiered lake county board of county commissioner s policy. Ms. Stone seconded the motion. The motion was approved 4-2, with Mr. Bryant and Ms. Cox opposition. Update - Trustee Farner requested that staff research the history of the County s changes and rational for any changes. Staff contacted the County s Human Resources staff and no one currently in the Human Resources Department has been around long enough to know why the change was made. Reviewing the County s September 7, 1999 Employment Policies Manual, the policy was, Upon termination of employment, regardless of reason, a management or regular part-time or full-time employee is entitled to be paid for one-fourth (1/4) of any accrued sick leave, However, no more than 480 hours will be paid for this purpose. On November 5, 2013 the policy was revised to the tiered criteria that is currently in place. Water Authority staff suspects, but is not certain, that the change was made to limit the financial liability of accrued sick leave for long term employees.
Executive Director Recommendation: 1) Amend Section 5 of the Policies and Practices Employee Manual to include language similar to the County policy regarding possession of weapons or firearms. 2) Amend Section 30 of the Water Authority s Policies and Practices Employee Manual to include a procedure for addressing grievances involving the Executive Director.