Board of County Commissioners

Gadsden County, Florida

AGENDA

Regular Public Meeting

January 4, 2011

6:00 p.m.

Present:

Commissioner Eugene Lamb, District 1

Commissioner Doug Croley, District 2

Commissioner Gene Morgan, Vice-Chair, District 3

Commissioner Brenda Holt, District 4

Commissioner Sherrie Taylor, Chairperson, District 5

Debra Minnis, County Attorney

Johnny Williams, County Administrator

Muriel Straughn, Deputy Clerk

Invocation, Pledge of Allegiance and Roll Call

Invocation

Pledge of Allegiance

Roll Call (Muriel Straughn, Deputy Clerk)

Amendments and Approval of Agenda

Announcements

Item 4 – Removed from the Agenda

Lamb/Morgan approved 5 – 0 as amended

Awards, Presentations and Appearances

1. Resolution Number 2011-003 Recognizing the Achievements of Onryll Lewis (Sherrie Taylor, Chairperson) Miss Onryll Lewis present. Student at Gadsden Elementary Magnet School – received score of 500 on both parts of the FCAT test for two consecutive years

2. National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, February 2011

Katie Jo Helm, Sr. Robert F. Munroe Day School Anchor Club Lamb/Croley 2011-004 Proclamation Number approve 5 - 0

3. Community Redevelopment Agency Presentation - Charles Hayes, CRA Main Street Director, Quincy and Howard McKinnon, Town Manager, Havana

Commissioner Morgan questions of Mr. McKinnon & Charles Hayes Commissioner Croley – questions and comments; requested all reports and audits be filed with the Clerk’s office – with Deputy Clerk Muriel Straughn; Commissioner Holt’s comments; Commissioner Taylor’s comments – all records to be on file with Clerk within 30 days.

4. Update on Use of Hospital Building Office Space - Michael Glazer, Deputy County Attorney and Craig McMillan, Gadsden Hospital Inc., Board Chairman

Consent Pulled 6, 7

Holt/Lamb approve items 5,8,9

5. Ratification of Approval to Pay County Bills

6. Approval to Accept County Commission Public Bonds for Re-elected

Commissioner Douglas M. Croley and Commissioner Brenda A. Holt Johnny Williams, County Administrator Croley’s remarks - Bonds don’t track with term of office; premiums differ between the two commissioners. Table for clarification Croley/Holt – Motion to defer until second meeting in January – third Tuesday ; 5 - 0 DEFERRED TO NEXT MEETING

7. Signature of Chairman on Equitable Sharing Agreement and Certification (Katherine Pondexter, CFO, GCSO) This money has been spent. This is a report that has to be made. This is an annual report. It is not post approval for money that has already been spent. Croley/Morgan approve report 5 – 0

8. Approval of Signatures for Special Assessment Liens – Impact Fee Proviso (IFP) and State Housing Initiative (SHIP) Programs

(Clyde Collins, Building Official)Item 8.pdf

9. Approval of Signatures for Special Assessment Liens and Rehabilitation Contracts – Florida Homeownership Opportunity (FHOP) and State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) Programs

(Clyde Collins, Building Official)Item 9.pdf

Items Pulled for Discussion

Citizens Requesting to be Heard on Non-Agenda Items (3 minute limit)

Public Hearings

10. Public Hearing – Approval of Budget Amendments and Resolution to the FY 2010-2011 Budget Resolution 2011-001

OMB BA# 1100001 – Hospital Maintenance – took from several categories rather than take it from fund balance Croley – why do we need a budget amendment to do whatever we have already approved? During budget transition, it got misplaced. Commissioner Morgan – recalled that he asked at budget time if the indigent care tax could be used to pay a portion of this. Is that a possibility to use those funds. Mr. Price was not certain, but would ask. Commissioner Holt – This is a real problem for her. She wants a workshop on the budget to understand where the money is coming from and where it is being moved to. Commissioner Croley – voiced concerns Commissioner Morgan’s comments – working our way through a lot of things. Croley/Morgan motion to approve; Chair called for public comments - no response. Holt not in favor of the approval at all. 4 – 1(Holt)

OMB BA# 1100003 –Chair called for public comments Lamb/Croley approve – 5 – 0 approved.

OMB BA #1100004 – Drake Acres Park and Shelfer Park Take money from fund balance – technical accounting $35,000 Croley/Morgan 5 – 0 approved

OMB BA# 1100005 Move $75,000 coming from Budgeted Reserves for Contingency. Will leave $57,000 in contingency. Chair called for public comments. - Charles Chapman Item 11 explains background information. Croley asked to lay on table until we hear item 11.. Croley has concern about cash flow at the rate the commission is spending money. Chair called for action. Lamb/Holt approve 5 – 0.

OMB BA#1100006; - Had GIS in Planning which was not full time any longer. Spencer will be moved from Planning to fill permit clerk’s vacancy in Building Inspection Department. Croley/Lamb motion to approve ; Public comment - no response 5 – 0

OMB BA#1100008 – Lamb/Morgan approve 5 – 0 No public comment

OMB BA# 110009 – Called for public comments – no response - Morgan/Holt approval. Questions by Commissioner Holt 5 – 0

OMB BA# 1100013 Fund 112 – County Transportation Fund Balance to make PW Purchases. Chair called for public comments. No response. Lamb/Croley approve. 5 – 0

OMB BA 1100014 Lamb/Croley 5 – 0 approve

OMB BA #1100016 Shelfer Park. Taking out of Capital Project and putting it into the Shelfer Park budget. Lamb/Croley 5 – 0 to approve

Commissioner Holt – comments

General Business

11. Approval of Budget Amendment for Shelfer Park Infrastructure Improvements and Authorize the Chairperson to Execute - $75,000 for the construction of the parking lot, walking trail, security lighting, fencing, driveway, culvert and stub plumbing

(Charles Chapman, Public Works Director)

Shirley Aaron; 101 Cherry Ave., Havana, FL Thanked the board for giving them the park.

Nell Cunningham, 310 Bostick Road Thanked the Board for their service. Committed to making Havana a better place.

Lamb/Croley approve 5 – 0

12. Approval of Change Order Number 1 and Budget Amendment for Frank Smith Road Repair Project with Duggar Excavating, Inc. and Authorize the Chairperson to Execute

(Charles Chapman, Public Works Director) Croley/Holt 5 – 0 approve Change Order

13. Ratification of Five Day-Eight Hour Work Week for Public Works Operations Charles Chapman, Public Works Director Holt’s comments. Morgan’s comments. Heard positive remarks from public about return to the five day work week. This is a matter for the administrator. Not a place for the commissioners to intervene. Commissioner Croley’s remarks. Commissioner Holt’s rebuttal. Motion to ratify the 5-day work week. Morgan/Lamb Option 1 – 4 – 1(Holt) Manager to use discretion regarding performing an analysis.

14. Discussion of RFP for State Lobbying Services (Material to be Provided) (Arthur Lawson, Assistant County Administrator) This matter was tabled at the last meeting. Croley’s remarks. Lamb/Morgan motion to take this matter off the table and bring it back for discussion. Approved 5 – 0. Discussion: Morgan

Agenda this matter for next meeting – notify the public that we will consider extending the Doolin Contract for another year. Preference will be General Business. Morgan/Lamb motion to bring back. Money is already in the budget. 5 – 0 approve.

15. Appointment of a Board Representative to Vote at the FACT Annual Conference in December 2011 Morgan/Holt to appoint Commissioner Taylor 5 – 0

16. Hospital Trust Investment Committee (Michael Glazer, Deputy County Attorney)

No action necessary.

17. Discussion of Reinstituting Video Recording Services of the County Commission Meetings Curtis Fletcher comments. Comments from Jim Southerland.

Chair asked for a motion. Holt/Lamb - put on the agenda for RFP 3 – 2 (Morgan/Croley)

18. Approval of the Affordable Housing Incentives Summary (Clyde Collins, Building Official and Phyllis Moore, SHIP Administrator) Phyllis Moore. The County Comprehensive Plan has not changed and there is no need for changes to the Incentive Plan. Holt/Lamb Motion to approve – no need for changes to the incentives. 5 – 0

19. Approval of the Gadsden County Tourist Development Council Marketing Request (Anthony Matheny, Planning and Community Development Director) Lamb/Holt approve contingent on changes per request of BCC.

20. Approval of Resolution Number 2011-002 to Establish the Gadsden County Brownfields Advisory Committee Anthony Matheny, Planning and Community Development Director Morgan/Lamb 5 – 0 to approve

County Administrator

21. Update on Board Requests Johnny Williams, County Administrator – Memo from Tax Collector.

Courthouse Improvements – Judge’s Chambers and new bathroom - County Manager can approve up to $10,000 Courthouse facilities fund.

Questions from Commissioner Croley to County Administrator – Disappointed in the agenda. This is the worst he has seen. Need for him to spend more time in getting information together. Financial matters under the consent agenda. Wants a place on the agenda for the Clerk.

County Attorney

22. Update on Various Legal Issues

(Deborah Minnis, County Attorney)

Paving of Ames Barineau Road – Verified that the road was done, it was already a public road.

The Ordinance is a discretionary ordinance.

Commisisoner Holt – those citizens agreed to pay. Suggested more research be done to collect the money legally – perhaps by setting up a special taxing district.

Discussion Items by Commissioners

23.

Commissioner Lamb, District 1 –

• Shelfer Park – Thanked the board for their support to go forward to build a park in District 1.

• Item 10 discussion – be more tactful with staff in a public meeting.

Commissioner Croley, District 2 –

• Happy New Year

• Wants a presentation on next agenda from DOC regarding number of people on probation for violent crimes. Motion: Croley/Holt 5 – 0 to have this on agenda ASAP

• “2011 County Visioning Kick-Off” - asked Chairperson to explain what vision she is speaking of.

• Financial future of the County – Governor Scott’s inaugural address - declining revenues from property taxes to be expected. Effects from further discounts on property taxes by the Tax Collector will have budget impacts. – Referenced other Governor Scott’s remarks regarding budget cuts. Urged the commissioners to stop spending and get focused from a fiscal standpoint. Let the administrator do his job with reorganization.

• People are fed up with paying taxes and they are not going to take it. He would oppose any proposal to increase tax millage.

Commissioner Holt, District 4 – No Items

• What was the cost for GPS on supervisor’s vehicles? Charles Chapman responded.
• Political Signs – FL Statutes govern it. County does not have county ordinance, but it is not necessary. Citizen wants something in writing citing the authority by which the county removed sign from personal property. County attorney cited FS 106.1435 (2) – Code enforcement would be delegated to remove the signs. They have authority.
• Extra Space at the hospital.
• Jai-Alai – they are opening in Orlando, then they will come back to Gadsden County
• Saving money tactics – not in favor of laying off anyone else - fewer jobs mean greater crime.
• We need jobs.

Commissioner Morgan, Vice Chairman, District 3 – No Items

• Encouraged commissioners to Accentuate positive things when we can.
• Temporary Cold weather shelter worked beautifully. Local churches did it. Must look to private sector to help with some services.
• Prioritize needs over wants. Concern regarding decrease in the budgeted contingency funds.
• Asked the administrator to notify the BCC when the fiscally constrained money is confirmed. Put back into fund balances.
• New governor – His number 1 goal is jobs. Must improve efficiencies and build up reserves and get prepared for the future. The same is true for counties.
• Revenue is in a declining trend. That forces board to do business better. Bill has been proposed that will take a bite out of revenues – the discount on the property taxes by paying early. It will go from 4% to 8%. That is significant.

Commissioner Taylor, Chairperson, District 5 – Vision Kick-off 2011

• County is within the budget. Still within the spending ability.
• Fact – the fiscally constrained money will be larger than expected.
• Property Appraiser is more optimistic about the property values and projected assessment.
• Roads – direction to county administrator.
• This commissioner works to serve without consideration for legacy
• Kick-Off – goals set by the county commission are reflected in the vision she will put forth to employees – she will ask for their buy-in to effect those goals. Employees need to understand why it might be necessary to have lay-offs. Citizens need to understand why they may have to pay for services.
• She respects the intelligence of all board members.

Motion to Adjourn

Receipt and File

24.

a. For the Record: Letter from the Havana Herald Regarding the 5^th Annual Outlook 2011 edition for the end of January

January Meeting(s)

- January 18, 2011, Regular Meeting, 9:00 a.m.