AT A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HELD IN AND FOR GADSDEN COUNTY, FLORIDA ON JULY 19, 2011 AT 9:00 A.M., THE FOLLOWING PROCEEDINGS WERE HAD, VIZ.
Present: Sherrie Taylor, Chair, District 5
Gene Morgan, Vice-Chair, District 3
Eugene Lamb, District 1
Doug Croley, District 2
Brenda Holt, District 4
Nicholas Thomas, Clerk
Deborah Minnis, County Attorney
Arthur Lawson, Interim County Administrator
INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND ROLL CALL
Chair Taylor called the meeting to order with a prayer and the pledge of allegiance to the U.S. flag. Deputy Clerk Muriel Straughn then called the roll as documented above.
AMENDMENTS AND APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
The following changes were made to the agenda:
3a: Add Appointment to TDC Board - David Knight
3b: Add Resolution in support of economic development of Solar Farm
3c: Recognition of commissioners Lamb and Morgan as being selected by FAC to serve on Committees
Pull Item 16 from General Business - Interlocal Agreement with City of Chattahoochee
Lamb/Holt
approve agenda as amended 5 – 0
AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND APPEARANCES
(No agenda report or material was available at the time the agenda was printed and published.)
David Weiss, Ausley and McMullen attorney
David Weiss – PowerPoint attached – EAR based amendment process
Commissioner Croley’s remarks – previous consent agreement with DCA – What happens to that consent agreement which requires the county to establish USA within certain areas?
Commissioner Holt’s remarks and questions.
Commissioner Morgan’s questions
Commissioner Holt asked that the board schedule a public hearing with the public to help them understand the new regulations.
2. List of Errors and Insolvencies Report for the 2010 Tax Roll
Tax Collector Dale Summerford addressed the board explaining the report.
3. Update on Hurricane Preparedness - Charles Brinkley for Emergency Management Director, GCSO – Expecting 10 named storms this season. In response, the EM has conducted training and are raising awareness.
Questions: Is there anything that commissioners can do to help him – give them room to operate.
Commissioner Holt would like for demonstrations be done in all the towns.
Staff to schedule meeting between Mr. Brinkley, Chair and
Interim County Administrator to go over the plan. Provide the written plan to each
commissioner.
3a. Appointment to TDC Board - David Knight appointed by Commissioner Lamb
Jim Kellum recommended Matt Thro as the appointee asrecommended by the TDC. Has a background in advertising and the position requires lot of work and a lot of skill.
Commissioner Lamb – Perhaps the entire board needs to be reorganized. He got several calls to appoint someone else to the board.
Lamb - Motion to appoint David Knight
to the TDC. Second by Commissioner Holt.
5 – 0
Bring appointments
back to the agenda for the other vacancy for the bed tax collector. Also discuss the attendance issues that
prevent quorum participation.
3b. Resolution in Support of the Solar Farm 2011-025
Marion Laslie, 5 Dante Court, Quincy, FL - very much in favor of the solar farm project.
Croley/Morgan
approve the resolution with current contents.
Question by
Commissioner Holt regarding language in last paragraph.
Vote 4 – 1 with
Commissioner Holt opposing.
3c. Recognition of two Commissioners to Serve as
Co-Chair on FAC Growth Management Committeee and Commissioner Lamb to sit as
Chair on
CLERK OF COURTS
AGENDA
4. Presentation of County Finance and
County Clerk
County needs to make the jail a priority within current revenue and continue to pursue the third circuit judge. We have two major bonds and cannot sustain more debt to repair or enlarge the jail or build a new pod. All of the county buildings often suffer from neglect and he would hate to see happen to the jail what happened when the county failed to maintain the hospital adequately which ultimately resulted in it being closed.
CONSENT AGENDA
Items 9, 12, 14 were pulled for discussion
Lamb/Morgan approve all but those listed
above. 5 – 0
5. Approval of Minutes May 17, 2011 Regular Meeting
May 26, 2011 Budget Workshop
6. Ratification of Approval to Pay County
Bills
Accounts Payables Dated: July 1, 2011
July 8, 2011
July 15, 2011
Payroll Dated: July 14, 2011
June 30, 2011
7. Emergency Management Preparedness and
Assistance Program Base Grant
Agreement 12-BG___-02-30-01-020 CFSA Number: 52.008 $105,806.00
This is a non-matching grant for $105,806.00 with an agreement period of July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012. Itt will allow the Emergency Management Department to conduct daily emergency management operations within the Sheriff’s Office. Authorized expenditures include salaries/fringe benefits, personal services, operating capital outlay, and fixed capital outlay. This grant constitutes the majority of the department’s operation annual budget. It will continue the ongoing emergency preparedness programs and operations designed to prepare the citizens of Gadsden County for a wide variety of natural and manmade disasters and hazards.
8. Emergency Management Performance Grant
Agreement 12-FG___-02-30-01-087
This grant is between Gadsden County and the Florida Division of Emergency Management and is a federal funded grant in the amount of $44,632.00. The federal portion is awarded annually to supplement the state portion. This award requires a dollar for dollar non-federal match. The required match will be met with State funds. This award increases the county’s Emergency Management Performance Assistance Grant total amount of funding to $150,438.
9. Increase to the 2010-2011 Law
Enforcement Appropriation OMBBA 110081
Morgan/Lamb – 5 – 0 Money was donated. No fiscal impact to county.
10. Approval of Signatures for Special
Assessment Liens and Rehabilitation Contracts – Emergency Repairs for Sally
Todd and Mary Kelly
11. Approval of an Unwritten Month to Month
Lease with North Florida Medical Center
12. Approval of Gadsden Hospital
Incorporated Board Member Shaia Beckwith-James –
Croley asked to defer to receive comments from GHI Chair – Chair Taylor spoke with Mr. McMillan and he is the one who asked for the appointment at this meeting.
Croley/Lamb to approve the appointment; 5 – 0 Point made that this makes an even number – they may need to go to an odd number
13. Approval of Disposal of Surplus Vehicles
and Authorization to Sell at Auction
1995 Chevrolet Pickup VIN1 GCEC14H05Z53420
2003 Chevrolet Pickup VIN 1GCHC23U03F161549
1991 Chevy Lumina Van VIN 1GACOU6D3MT136291
14. Approval to Turn Over Bad and Outstanding Debt to Accounts Receivables, Inc. for Collection Resolution 2011-024
Questions by Commissioner Croley Croley/Lamb approve 5 – 0
ITEMS
PULLED FOR DISCUSSION
9. Increase to the 2010-2011 Law Enforcement Appropriation
OMBBA 110081
Morgan/Lamb – 5 – 0 Money was donated. No fiscal impact to county.
12.
Approval
of Gadsden Hospital Incorporated Board Member Shaia Beckwith-James –
Croley asked to defer to receive comments from GHI Chair – Chair Taylor spoke with Mr. McMillan and he is the one who asked for the appointment at this meeting.
Croley/Lamb to approve the appointment; 5 – 0 Point was made that this appointment makes an even number on the board – they may need to consider go to an odd number
CITIZENS REQUESTING TO BE HEARD ON NON AGENDA ITEMS
Pastor John Battles – Public Works 43 Lucille Berry Lane, Quincy, FL - “For as long as I can remember…pipes get washed out of the ground, until 2008 citizens have always been able to get public works to come out and dump some dirt and put the culvert back into place.” “Why can’t we sign for the dirt delivery at the site rather than have to come up to the administration building?”
Issue
directed to the County Administrator and bring it back to the board.
GENERAL
BUSINESS
13. Approval to Establish a Line Item Budget to Provide Funds to the City of Gretna to fund the Wastewater Project from the Capital Projects – General Fund
Staff reviewed – money allocated for infrastructure of the jail – but not yet accomplished. It can be reallocated to the wastewater project.
Attorney Minnis had some concern – the
way the discretionary ordinance reads, the maintenance of infrastructure is for
public works project. You cannot take
the surtax money and use it at the jail unless the ordinance is changed. In order to amend the ordinance, it must go
through the public notice process. Add
discussion to Amend the ordinance for the next public hearing
meeting.
Discussion: Why has the repairs not been made – there is money there to do it. – shower heads cannot be turned off; the temperature in the jail has been 92 degrees. Mold and mildew is surely to become a health issue.
Lamb – talked to the administrator and the sheriff – Clyde Collins is working on the jail. Can’t repair everything at one time. Don’t know why the repairs are not made. The sheriff is satisfied with the progress that is taking place.
Morgan – concern that we go through this in proper order. The budget will have to be approved in order to put the money back after the new budget year. Would we have to have a written agreement to make certain that the surtax is limited to just certain projects?
Holt –
Motion: establish fund 301 Capital Improvement of $250,000.00 for sewer line infrastructure project in Gretna - language must reflect use for sewer project only and documentation that the expenses are qualified.
Lamb/Holt
Rescind the previous motion to provide 10% of the 95% of the infrastructure tax
for this project . 4 – 1 (Croley)
Holt/Lamb approve agreement between city of Gretna /county for $205,000 specifically for sewer line infrastructure upon documented expenses to be provided by city. From 301 for the city of Gretna Project Must be provided with proof of the bid award process 4 – 1.
The
other $45,000 will be brought back as advertised budget change and amendment
This is based on the premises that the ordinance will be amended.
Carlos
Iglesias, 133 Kneeoloby Way, Quincy, FL 32351
– in support of the funding – Beaver Lake Campground and Beaver Lake
Quick Serve – not present
James
Malloy, 1391 Bassett Road – opposed to this funding this project –
14.
Approval
of Interlocal Agreement Between Gadsden County and the City of Chattahoochee
and Authorization for Chair to Execute -
Flood Mitigation for Crawfish Island
15.
Approval
of a Request to do Advertised Budget Change to Use Excess Money in Court Facilities
Fund to Replace Roof and One Air Conditioning Unit at the Record Center
Lamb/Croley 4 – 0
(Holt not present)
16.
Approval
to Accept the FY 2011 Third Quarter Report
Morgan/Lamb
4 – 0 (Holt not present)
17.
Approval
of Budget Amendments # 110082 and 11083 for the Ciaro-Concord CR 157A
Resurfacing Project
Croley/Lamb
approve 4 – 0 (Holt not present)
18.
Florida State Hospital Update
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
Redistricting at the next 9:00 a.m. meeting – second meeting in August.
Croley – Growth Management was to start the process of amending the Land Use Code for the Solar Farms - What is the progress? Will send commissioners an email with answer.
What progress is being made for investigating the outsourcing the probation department and roadside mowing? Waiting for the direction from the board. Agenda this for discussion along with the county judge and the county probation director present. Have this done prior to the budget. Have staff be in communication with vendors to privatize these services. See what other area counties are doing? Is there a downside to privatization.
COUNTY
ATTORNEY
Rescinding motions – Section 35 of Roberts Rules – any member can move to rescind a motion. If the motion to rescind is not agendaed, it requires super majority vote.
Report on other law firms doing work for the county –
State Laws and firearm ordinances. What laws do we have that need to be repealed? Nuisance Ordinace will have to be repealed.
DISCUSSION
ITEMS BY COMMISSIONERS
Commissioner
Lamb
Commissioner
Croley
Commissioner
Holt
Commissioner
Morgan
TDC website linked to the County Website?
Build out for the Tax Collector’s office – Dale to meet with CA and come back to the board.
Tax Abatements – Supervisor of Elections said that referendum must be to her early in election process.
Commissioner
Taylor
July 28th Budget Workshop.
Commissioners should bring their quarterly reports.
TDC appointments ASAP
Bill of Rights – repeal or amend – super majority – look at waiver
Lonnie Clark Road – bring back info on this project – when did it come before us for approval?
Family exemption – bring this before us again.
MOTION TO
ADJOURN
Holt motion
to adjourn.