Live Oak resident Sheryl Young said she is concerned over the completed construction of the First Federal Bank of Florida parking lot and relocation of the ATM on South Ohio Avenue. 

According to Young, the line of cars for the ATM is directly behind her fence and occupants in the vehicles have a full view of her backyard, which results in minimal, if any, privacy for her and her 12-year-old daughter, she said.

According to city ordinance 4.19.18.7, fences separating business and residential lots must be opaque so that no light shall pass through. It also states that there should be no direct glare from flood lights into residential areas. Young said the bank has 14 permanent park lights fixed in the parking lot. 

She said FFBF has made concessions by adjusting two of the lights to turn off by 7:30 p.m., planted two trees and also installed PVC slats on the fence for additional privacy. 

Young provided pictures to the councilmen and city officials who agreed that the fence’s privacy was insufficient and not “opaque”.

The council and city staff plan to investigate the issue and report to City Administrator Bob Farley by Wednesday. Councilman Adam Prins said he will report to Young no later than next Friday about the findings.

 

New secretarial position to open

City AdministratorBob Farley proposed to the council to open up a secretarial position for the city of Live Oak in lieu of rehiring for the vacant project specialist position.

Shannon Courtis currently the project specialist and takes care of grant applications and administration, as well as assists the mayor, city administrator and public works director and other duties as assigned. Court will be retiring on Sept. 30 after 25 years of service.

Farley’s proposal is to start training Kim Smiley, the current administrative executive secretary/purchasing agent, on grant writing and code enforcement and transfer workload of general office duties to the new secretary position. 

The proposal would give Smiley a 10 percent pay raise to take on the new responsibilities. The secretary will be hired at the rate of $21,561 annually. Farley plans to have the effective date for Oct. 1.

According to Farley, this proposal will save the city $35,000 annually.

The proposal was unanimously approved.