Board of
County Commissioners
Gadsden County, Florida
AGENDA
Regular Public Meeting
March 1, 2011
6:00 p.m.
Invocation, Pledge of Allegiance and Roll Call
Invocation
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call (Muriel Straughn, Deputy Clerk)
Ground Rules by Chair –
Profession Venue – We will respect you and listen. Otherwise, any issues must be addressed to
the board and not to individual commissioners.
Amendments and Approval of Agenda
Brenda Holt – asked for
removal of County Manager to be added - no second
Holt requested to
add the Indefinite suspension of -
Morgan/Lamb approve
agenda as written – 4 – 1(Holt)
Awards, Presentations and Appearances
Clerk of Courts
1. Presentation of County Finance and County Clerk Issues
(Nicholas Thomas, Clerk of the Courts)
Consent Lamb/Morgan 5 – 0
2. Ratification of Approval to Pay
County Bills
3. Approval of Resolution Number 2011-008 Approving the State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program (SHIP) Local Housing Assistance Plan FY(s) 2011-2012, 2012- 2013 and 2013-2014
(Clyde Collins, Building Official and
Phyllis Moore, SHIP Administrator)
4. Board Approval to Renew EMS
Consultant Agreement for Ambulance Claims and Authorize
the Chairperson to Sign
(Don Crum, EMS Director)
5. Approval of Change Order Number 1 to
the Contract with North Florida Construction Inc.
for Drake Acres Park Renovations
(Charles Chapman, Public Works Director)
Items Pulled for Discussion
Citizens Requesting to be Heard on Non-Agenda Items
(3 minute limit)
Floyd Banks 400 Foxfire Court asked to lend
time to Sam Palmer – denied
Helen Robinson 282 Dogwood Trail – asked to
lend time to Sam Palmer - denied
Leonard Robinson 282 Dogwood Trail – asked to
lend time to Sam Palmer – denied – complained that he could not hear the Clerk
William Chukes 902 Conyers St. Quincy, FL – has some concerns – Don’t know
if allocations are true or not, but objected to bringing in out of town person
to be administrator.
There is a problem
that needs to be addressed.
James Palmer 329 South Adams St. requested to yield to Sam Palmer – denied.
Sam Hawkins Concern is the county manager –
lawsuits that have been filed. Fired
from every job as manager. He
orchestrated court case. County Policy –
why does the county manager carry a hand gun when employees can not. Why does the board allow him to fire
blacks? Bought votes by commissionersand
under investigation.
Sam Palmer 1225 Berry St. Quincy, FL - Concern
- lawsuits and discrimination by the county manager. By taking no action, you, as commissioners, are just as guilty. NAACP Resolution placed into the record. Requesting resignation of Johnny Williams
and leave of absence by Doug Croley.
Bishop Willie C.
Greene read statement into the
record. Made four requests regarding
acts of alleged racism and discrimination.
Dale Landry 1940 ?
Tallahassee, FL NAACP - In Gadsden County to deal with racism. Alleged fraud in the election. There is
a whirlwind coming forward. March
17, NAACP will be in Gadsden County to organize protest. We are going to fix this. You know what we are getting ready to
do. It is also at the national
level.
Joseph Wright 4873 Lakepark Dr. Tallahassee,
FL Southern Christian Leadership – More
global issue. Only 3 black people are in
supervisory position in Gadsden County.
There is an apartid situation in Gadsden County.
Vivian Jackson Mitchell District 2 – real concern about
information that was shared at the last meeting she attended that turned out
not to be correct. Concerned about the
authority invested to the county manager This afternoon she was told that the
county manager said they could not have a rally nor on county grounds.
Clarence Tennell (?) – Left
Quincy 50 years ago and returned. Don’t
want to go back to the 40’s and 50’s.
Quincy is better than that.
Pastor John Battles
– Not present at time he was called.
Jermal Rolle 1510 –
Tallahassee, FL. – When people cry out – they are due a response for
justice. Citizens are asking that during
the investigation, manager be placed on paid leave. If he is cleared then citizens can find
encouragement in their leadership.
Until it is determined whether he was right or wrong that he should take
leave.
Lucas Milton - addressed Douglas Croley
personally and Chair asked him to relinquish the remainder of his time.
Louis Batiste –
Tallahassee, FL - Injustice has
occurred. Justice must prevail. Take a stand for what is
right and just. Asked them to become humble and lose the arrogance.
Chair Taylor’s response to
above remarks. Concerns did not fall on
deaf ears.
Commissioner Holt
asked the Chair to explain that process.
Public Hearings
6. Public Hearing - Adoption of
Ordinance Number to
Implement the Provisions of
Section 286.0115, Florida Statutes Relating to Ex Parte Communications Involving Non-Quasi Judicial and
Quasi-Judicial Local Land use Matters
(Deborah Minnis, County
Attorney)
Chair Taylor opened
the public hearing regarding the adoption of Ordinance.
Attorney Debra
Minnis explained the ordinance.
Chair called for public
comments:
Sam Hawkins - It seems that it deters a
citizen from speaking confidentially to
their commissioner.
Marion Laslie 5 Dante Court,
Quincy
Arrie Battles 919 Harden Street, Quincy, FL
Chair called on the Commissioners to make comments.
Croley – it pertains only to Land Use Matters
Holt Is there any type of
punishment? No. It tries to foster disclosure so that the
prejudice does not exist. Holt - This
ordinance was not necessary – it is a waste of money.
Morgan - Understand public
concerns. Do not want to limit the
ability for the public to approach a commissioner. This law allows more opportunity to get input
from the local folks. Question: What about specific communications between a
commissioner and a sitting P & Z member?
This statute does not deal with that.
Clarification on that issue would be helpful.
Lamb: Move forward – it is here.
Taylor: If called by a constituent, she
will go- then disclose the communication.
Needs some language geared toward Gadsden County.
Lamb/ Morgan Move Option No. 3 is to revise
the Ordinance based on further instructions by the Commission. 5 – 0
7.
Public Hearing – Adoption of
Ordinance for Comprehensive Plan Text Amendment(s) to Policy 1.1.5(D)
Neighborhood Commercial (Anthony
Matheny, Planning and
Community Development Director)
Chair Taylor announced the opening of a public hearing.
Anthony Matheny explained the ordinance. Response was received from DCA without any
concerns.
Called for public comments:
Marion Laslie, 5 Dante Court, Quincy. - Concern with definition of
roads – local road, collector road, etc.
Item 2 on Page 1 -
Intersection - She would like to see the
definitions to be more specific. Would
like to have an idea as to when a local road becomes a collector road.
Special Exception – do the neighbors get notified when special
exceptions are granted.
Chair called for other public remarks.
Matheny – some of Ms. Laslie – the definitions are addressed in other
parts of the plan. Notification of
special exception is 1,000 ft. It could
be changed to make it encompass a larger range for notification. Special Exceptions can be denied by the
BOCC.
Morgan remarks – Citizens Bill
of Rights – how will this affect this ordinance –
Does a special exception require a supra majority vote? Don’t know.
Croley remarks - Notifications will fall under the
requirements of the Citizens Bill of Rights.
Holt remarks – Concern is that
this stops growth. Nothing in this
ordinance promotes growth. We lose
businesses because we keep tightening up the criteria. This is not a good thing
at all. Requested that this be work shopped
again.
Holt remarks. What is the recourse for citizens if their
project is not approved? Bert-Harris
Act.
Taylor’s remarks.
Lamb/Croley approve the Ordinance
Question by Holt - We should have something for
the large businesses and the Mom and Pop businesses. Small businesses should not be held captive
to this ordinance.
Vote – 4 – 1 (Holt)
General Business
8. Approval
of Naming the Shelfer Park Project as the Eugene Lamb, Jr. Community Park at
Richbay Charles Chapman, Public Works Director – Name was requested by Shelfer
Park Steering Committee to be formally named as stated above.
Nell Cunningham 310 Bostick
Road, Havana, FL
Taylor motion to name the park
as requested/Croley 5-0
Commissioner Lamb’s response – very humbled by the action. Driven by a desire to provide park to young
people.
9. Discussion of the Fiscally
Constrained Amendment 1 Distribution
Holt favored summer youth work
Lamb: Safety – consider funding three
deputy position. # 1
Morgan – consider Clerk’s
remarks. Property Appraiser – declining
values; State Revenue is declining; fuel
and operation expenses are increasing. Should
bank the money to have sufficient fund reserves for the future.
Croley – Concurred with
Commissioner Croley – facing hard times – not in a position to spend the money
right now. Spending it will do more
harm.
Taylor – spend now or spend
later – summer employment for youth. It
will give State an indication that we don’t need it if we bank it. Hire 45 young people at $75,000 to be
administered by the county. Put $114,000
into contingency funds.
Staff will bring this back for a vote later.
County Administrator –
recommend put in fund balance.
10.
Discussion of the Sheriff’s
Request for Three (3) Deputy Positions
(Jeff Price, Sr. Management and
Budget Analyst)
Major Wood from Sheriff’s Office present - having a crime spree that has not been
seen since late 80’s and early 90’s.
Increase in violent crimes on persons.
Croley - how much has crime increased
in District 1 and 2? Drastic – 100
crimes in that side of the county.
Isolate areas with more patrols.
Population is growing on that side.
Become more preventive in how they do things.
Where will these three positions serve?
Reality is that we’ve got many different jobs to do. All people want the patrols there and in a
hurry. Right now, the problem area is
District 1 & 2. Cannot forecast the
future. He can only speak to the need
that is immediate.
Croley – would like to see a better plan to see what these deputies are
expected to do.
Captain Robert Barkley - We do have a plan.
Morgan – Question – Is there a
higher priority in the Sheriff’s office than getting three more deputies? - Right now we are focused on the areas
where crime has been increased so drastically.
There is not a greater priority.
How many deputized people on staff?
21 on the road 7 in
investigations 6 sworn as bailiffs and others at the jail.
What consideration has been given to shifting others over into these
areas? Have already shifted those with more
experience. Now, must replace less
experienced into special operations group.
Pulled from investigation and patrol.
The Sheriff’s Dept has largest part of the county budget. How can the Sheriff meet us half way in order
to facilitate this cost? They have
already been meeting with municipal police departments – consolidating IT,
etc. Trying not to duplicate services
that are available through the county.
Lamb – asked the administrator
to put this matter on the agenda. This
is a need- not a want.
Holt – This is a no
brainer. They need deputies. Give them the deputies. Don’t argue this one. Citizens deserve safety, especially in a bad
economy.
Motion: Lamb/Holt – put this on the agenda for
action for at least two deputies. Croley
asked for plan to be a part of the motion.
He is not opposed to any
particular number. But want to see
documentation. Vote: 5 – 0
11.
Review of Medicaid - Jeff Price, Sr. Management and Budget
Analyst - There is going to be
re-billing going back for 10 years. The
state is in process of doing this. We do not know what the numbers will be. Staff is monitoring it. It will be budgeted into the FY 2012. In the event we are re-billed for amounts
more than is budgeted, the county will be given a period of time to pay it.
Morgan’s remarks – if this is a
valid concern, it is more reason to bank the fiscally constrained money.
Is it possible that we have overpaid?
It is possible.
Is there a way to challenge whatever bill they send once re-billing is
completed? Yes.
Keep watchful eye on this.
12.
Discussion of Emergency
Housing Repairs Jeff Price, Sr.
Management and Budget Analyst)
Contingency reserve is $57,000.
Possibly contact faith based organization
and couple it with summer youth program?
Motion by Chair Taylor/Lamb –
bring this back as an agenda item.
5-0(Croley)
13. Discussion of the
Governor’s Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2012
(Jeff Price, Sr. Management and
Budget Analyst)
Morgan – Are the words falling
on deaf ears?
Taylor – we are staying within
our budget. We must provide service.
County Administrator
14. Update on Board Requests
(Johnny Williams, County Administrator)
County Attorney
15. Update on Various Legal Issues
(Deborah Minnis, County
Attorney)
Discussion Items by Commissioners
16.
Commissioner Lamb, District 1 - no further items
Commissioner Croley, District
2 – Goal # 1 – read into the record.
Bear that in mind
Commissioner Holt, District 4 – Paving of Lewis Lane – north of the
Farms near the Georgia line. Motion by
holt/Lamb Bring this back on next earliest agenda. 5-0
Firing of County Administrator
– when employees are upset and the constituents are upset because of actions of
the management – resulting in firings.
Some of those fired individuals don’t even have their homes anymore. They are upset about how we are doing
things. It is the lack of leadership
and supervision. Each meeting she will
continue to put forth the firing of the county administration. There is no need to aggravate the racist
issue any longer.
Motion to remove the manager this night. Motion died for lack of a second.
Ms. Minnis’s response to
remarks made by Commissioner Holt.
Commissioner
Morgan, Vice Chairman, District 3 –
Opposition to Privatizing Florida State Hospital Resolution Number
2011-009
Update on the DOT Lighting at
the Chattahoochee and Gretna Exchanges
Code Enforcement Issues
Commissioner
Taylor, Chairperson, District 5 –
Motion to Adjourn
Receipt and File
17.
a. For the Record: Letter from the Clerk of the County
Court Regarding Fund Summary Financial
Statement
b. For the Record: Letter from the Clerk of the County Court Regarding Cash Report
c. For the Record:
Letter from the City of Gretna Regarding Voluntary Annexation of Parcels into the City of Gretna
March Meeting(s)
- March 15, 2011, Regular
Meeting, 9:00 a.m.