Board of County Commissioners

Gadsden County, Florida

 

AGENDA

 

Regular Public Meeting

February 15, 2011

9:00 a.m.

 

 

Roll Call:

 

Sherrie Taylor, Chairperson, District 5 P

Gene Morgan, Vice-Chair, District 3A

Eugene Lamb, District 1P

Doug Croley, District 2P

Brenda Holt, District 4P

 

Holt motion to approve Comm Morgan’s absence Approved 4-0

 

Invocation, Pledge of Allegiance and Roll Call

 

      Invocation

       Pledge of Allegiance

       Roll Call (Jean Chesser, Deputy Clerk)

 

 

Amendments and Approval of Agenda

 

County Administrator requested additions to Agenda:

 

Recognition of School Guards  1 A

Out Reach 1b

Chris Doolin & Assoc 1C

 

Croley/Holt to approve agenda as amended 4-0 Passed

 

   Awards, Presentations and Appearances

 

1.  Redistricting Process – Overview

(Deborah Minnis, County Attorney

 

Attorney Minnis power point presentation of Redistricting Process (Copy of presentation included in agenda packet)

 

Chair Taylor said Board has not made decision on what needs to be done in going forward.  Urged citizens to understand the public will be put on notice before any action is taken by the Board

 

   Ms.  Knight, SOE, explained her office is not required to notice any information to the public – She explained that responsibility is required by

 the Board.

 

  Commissioner Holt – No need to rush with redistricting – Let State do their part and the County can then follow up.  She said redistricting is dangerous if done in a hurry.  Don’t want any problems with ballots.

  Commissioner Lamb – doesn’t feel the County should get into this – back off, save time, have discussions – don’t confuse public/voters – must consider school board – School Board doesn’t have to accept redistricting. Wants to leave redistricting along – don’t need it.

 

  Commissioner Croley – added costs for SOE – hopes Co Admin office works with SOE for future funding to cover additional costs.  Community of Common Interest – asked for clarification from Ms. Minnnis. Discussion on different Statutes pertaining to this issue.  Wants available info placed on County’s website – SOE and Ms. Minnis to share possibility with IT personnel.

 

  School class from Tallavana joined meeting to observe official business being conducted by the Commission.  9th - 12th grade classes of Tallavana Christian School.   

 

ADDED TO AGENDA:

   1A – School Crossing Guards in Gadsden County recognized for their help in escorting students to school – brunch being provided upstairs. Supt of Schools expressed appreciation to guards – City of Quincy Representative  also expressed appreciation to crossing guards, as well as their mentoring role to these students – City of Quincy and Supt of Schools sponsored brunch.

Guards recognized and presented with plaque by Chair Taylor -- Mr. Willie Long,  Mr. Amos Murray, Ms. Doris Bryant,  Ms. Christine Newsome, Ms. Dorothy Glover, Ms. Lillie Smith – Applause and thanks for their help

 

   1B – Community Out Reach Program – Senator Nelsons Office – Ms. Lynn Bannister – gave brief presentation and said she is here to assist public

 

  1C – Chris Doolin Federal State Local Government level great opportunity for students to witness today.  Issues before Legislative Body briefly discussed—All are serious issues affecting local governments.  Program cuts being proposed by Governor Scott. Some  previous funding for fiscally constrained counties is not in Governor’s proposed budget. Expressed thanks to the Board and looks forward to working with them.

 

  Comments from Commission – 2/23/11 reps from State Legislature will be here to share what they are seeing – issues, etc. and the Board will share the County’s needs with them at that time – 2/23/11 6:00 pm.

 

   Clerk of Courts

 

2.  Presentation of County Finance and County Clerk Issues

(Nicholas Thomas, Clerk of the Courts)

 

Responded to phone call inquiry concerning cash report – Cash is different from budget – revenue comes in at different intervals during year. Explained different revenues time coming in to County – Cash report is a snapshot – know exactly how much money you have on a given day.

 

Dec 2010 discussed fund balances and how general fund has improved – one fund has gone in opposite direction – Transportation Fund – over years the reserve in this fund balance has come down.  Lot of work has been done – lot of work still needs to be done.

 

Cash (Chapter 2833) investing money –CDS’s money markets – looking at doing more of that until SBA become more viable project.

 

 

 

Consent  Lamb/Holt to approve Consent Agenda as shown herein

 

3.  Approval of Minutes – January 04, 2011, Regular Meeting

                          January 18, 2011, Regular Meeting

 

4.  Ratification of Approval to Pay County Bills

 

5.  Approval to Apply for the Department of Health County Award Grant and Authorize

Chairperson to Sign Resolution Number 2011-007 (Don Crum, EMS Director)

 

Items Pulled for Discussion

 

 

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

 

Mr. Sam Palmer – will be recognized on use of county property at that time.

 

Public Hearings -- None

 

General Business

 

6.      Adoption of 2011 Legislative Program – Charles Chapman, Public Works Dir.

 

              Questions from Commissioners – Commissioner Holt concerned with all levels of funding and suggested a position funding for grant writer be included in Co. budget.   Commissioner Lamb –grant writer – would like staff to consider in budget. Additional discussion on funding from federal level – Charles Chapman to add to list for Consultant. Commissioner Croley questions concerning agenda basically for small county coalition – also concern for privatization of Fla Sate Hospital.  13 page document with exception of FS Hospital same as for all other small county coalitions.

Lamb/Holt to adopt Legislative Program  Approved 4-0

7.      Approval of Planning Commission Member Appointment(s)- Anthony Matheny, Planning  & Community Development Dir.

Comm Croley recommended Sheffield and Ganus for willingness to serve – Moved for reappointment Croley/Lamb – 4-0 Passed

 

Com Holt to approve for reappointment Rudd/Bridges-Bright Approved 4-0 Holt/Lamb

 

8.     Discussion of Use of County Property – Johnny Williams, County Administrator

 

       Comments from Commissioner Croley – disappointed backup information not available. Commissioner Lamb – requested public be allowed to give Board request for consideration – Additional comments from Commissioner Holt – She said there is a form available for such requests. Unnecessary to have so many people upset over not be allowed to use County grounds, etc. CHAIR TAYLOR REQUESTE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR BRING INFORMATION ON THIS ISSUE BACK TO THE BOARD FOR CONSIDERATION  AT A LATER DATE.—

 

  Mr. Palmer briefly addressed the Commission concerning Item 8 – said he felt the Commission has handled it this morning.

 

  Commissioner Croley wanted Co. Attorney to bring back info for the Co. Board – Chair Taylor requested Administrator bring back info in April and then the Board can give direction to Co. Attorney at that time. 

 

Lamb/Holt to have Administrator bring information back – Approved 4-0 Passed

 

  Ms. Gwen Robinson briefly addressed Board that form is in place.

 

 

9.     Appointment of Committee to Review Impact of Homestead Exemption for Persons 65  and Over – Johnny Williams, County Administrator

 

Property Appr, Tx Collector, One Co. Commissioner, Clerk Thomas to make up committee.

 

Croley/Holt moved approval of Committee 4-0 Passed

 

Chair Taylor/Holt to approve Commissioner Lamb as Commissioner on Committer 4-0 Passed

 

Co. Administrator stated Mr. Lawson will also be on the committee

 

10.    Nomination of a Board Member to the Florida Municipal Insurance Trust (FMIT) – Johnny Williams, County Administrator

Lamb/Holt to elect Chair Taylor for committee Ins. Trust Fund 4-0 Passed

 

County Administrator

 

11.  Update on Board Requests – Johnny Williams, County Administrator

 

County  attorney – Update on various legal matters

12  Ex Parte – will be coming to Board first meeting in March (removes impression that there is improper ex-parte communication  -- will be discussed

    Nuisance Abatement Ordinance – Ordinance already in place

  Discussion by Commissioners – Comm. Croley regarding dirt road paving & process –and Attorney Missis responded Any ordinance adopted by the Board is considered law.  Comp Plan Amendment had been adopted based on settlement with DCA.

 

Comm Croley inquired if process has been followed – Co. Administrator said not since his tenure – Additional Discussion

  Chair Taylor – street in question meets prioritized items – it’s a dirt road. Said previous commissioners did not go by the list of prioritized dirt roads

    For paving.  She said Board is moving forward with the paving on the street in question.

 

    Discussion Items by Commissioners

 

 

13.

    Commissioner Lamb, District 1 – Discussion of Additional Patrols for District 1

 

    Administsration will carry out process on proposed road for paving.  Commended Tallavana School for coming. Additional patrol requested for District 1 – wants to find funds for adding more patrols in the area – County Admin and Sheriff to get together on how to find funding.

 

Commissioner Croley, District 2 – Report & Discussion on Public Issues and   Concerns Pertaining to Commission District Two and Gadsden County

 

                        Recognized and thanked Tallavana students/instructors for attending meeting today.  Cap Reg Planning (CRPTA)project update. Soil & Water District pertaining to roofs – all leaking roofs need to be addressed prior to summer rainy season.

   Commissioner Holt, District 4 – No Items  -- Evaluation on day to day operations of Manager – Requested evaluation from Co. Attorney no Co. Manager –  Attorney Minnis said she was not aware that was a direction for her –

                      Chair Taylor said in April the Board will have time for that as that is time for the Co. Manager’s evaluation --  Comm. Holt said the Board still needs information on the day to day process –Legally look at contract of Co. Administrator – does performance out weigh duties  At next meeting will have full Board and asked Co. Attorney to be ready to go into it in more detail – including what State Statutes say – what are Board’s obligations.

                      Need to set goals and objectives (meetings) with other community leaders – where is County going – needs jobs.

                       Medicaid information update requested by Comm. Holt – Mr. Price still working on it – waiting on more figures- and should have something for Board within next month.

                             

   Ms. McLendon said cost has not exceeded $600,000.00 since 1994. She has given Mr. Price printout of past costs in previous years.

                       Additional discussion by Commissioner Holt.

 

                       Needs numbers on what it (full)cost County for the horse requested that information be provided from Co. Admin.

                      

                         Chair Taylor – said request is the same as a public request and Mr. Williams to provide information.

 

Commissioner Morgan, Vice-Chair, District 3 – Update on DOT Lighting at Chattahoochee & Gretna Exchanges

-    Code Enforcement Issues

-     

Commissioner Taylor, Chairperson, District 5 – Discussion of Future Meetings with

                         Municipalities (Individually) Regarding Lobbying Services – Covering:  Goals & Objectives, Growth & Development, Public Safety & Health Issues

 

                            Needs to start scheduling community meetings  -- Chatt, Gretna, Midway, Greensboro, Quincy, Havana to establish goals and objectives – Mr. Administrator & hair Taylor to get together and start schedule for meetings. – Roofs are imperative issue—find money – Clerk Thomas to look into possibility of funds being available – Asked th e Administrator look into and bring back information on Emergency Repairs – Agendaed – Lamb/Holt – Passed 4-0 for Emergency Repairs.

 

                          $189,000  -- cOFFER available – aGENDAED tAYLOR/lAMB – 4-0 pASSED

 

                          Stressed working together – Reminded Co. Administrator aLL 5 COMMISSIONERS TO BE RESPECTED AT ALL TIMES – Any time a law suit is entered into costs not only the county but also the citizens.

 

BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE COMMISSION AT THIS TIME, MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 10:45 am.

 

 

Receipt & File

14.

(a)    For the Record – Letter to Leon, Calhoun & Liberty Co. Regarding Florida State

                         Hospital Lobby Cost

 b)   For the Record – Letter to DOT Regarding Safety Enhancement Lighting   Improvements at Gretna/Greensboro & Chattahoochee Interstate 10 Interchanges

 

February Meeting

 

n  Tuesday, February 22, 2011, Joint BOCC/Hospital Board Meeting at Hospital 5:30 p.m.

March Meeting(s)

 

n  March 1, 2011, Regular Meeting 6:00 p.m.

n  March 15, 2011, Regular Meeting, 9:00 am