Chair Taylor called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.She then opened the meeting with a prayer
and the pledge of allegiance to the U. S. Flag.
The roll was called by Marcella Blocker with the attendance recorded
as listed above.
Chair Taylor called for all cell phones to be silenced and requested
all speakers to file a “Speaker Request Form” with the Clerk.
Swearing in of Newly Elected
Commissioner Eric F. Hinson, District 1 Commissioner, Re-Elected Commissioner
Gene Morgan, District 3 Commissionerand Commissioner Sherrie Taylor, District 5 Commissioner (The
Honorable Kathy Garner, County Judge presiding)
The Honorable Kathy Garner administered the Oath of Office to Commissioner-Elect
Eric Hinson, Commissioners Gene Morgan and Sherrie Taylor.
AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND
APPEARANCES
1.
Election of Chairman and
Vice Chairman
The floor was then turned
over to the Parliamentarian, Assistant County Attorney David Weiss, for
nominations for Chair.
Commissioner Morgan nominated Commissioner Croley for Chair.
THERE BEING NO OTHER
NOMINATIONS, UPON MOTION BY COMMISSIONER MORGAN, THE NOMINATIONS WERE
CLOSED.THE BOARD VOTED 4-0 ON THE
NOMINATION OF COMMISSIONER CROLEY AS CHAIR.
Chair Croley then opened the floor for nominations for
Vice-Chair.Commissioner Morgan nominated Commissioner Hinson.As there were no other nominations,
Commissioner Morgan moved to close nominations.
THERE BEING NO OTHER
NOMINATIONS, UPON MOTION BY COMMISSIONER MORGAN, THE NOMINATIONS WERE
CLOSED.THE BOARD VOTED 4-0 ON THE
NOMINATION OF COMMISSIONER HINSON AS VICE-CHAIR.
AMENDMENTS AND APPROVAL OF
AGENDA
No amendments were made to the Agenda and Chair Croley asked
for a motion to approve it as written.
UPON MOTION BY COMMISSIONER
HINSON AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MORGAN, THE BOARD VOTED 5-0 BY VOICE VOTE
TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS PRINTED.
2.
Possible Grant
Opportunities for Gadsden County
Mr. Presnell introduced Mr. Jon
Sewell, Project Manager, Kimley-Horn & Associates and added that he was
the first presentation that would appear before the Board over the next few
months for grant opportunities.
MR. JON SEWELL, PROJECT
MANAGER, KIMLEY-Horn & Associates addressed the board and stated that
consulting firm and one other had been selected as general planning
consultants to help the County try to find grant funding for various projects.He added that his firm was an engineering
firm that liked to work with public agency clients to help them find funding
and have pledged to work with staff to identify specific projects that the
County might want to implement and then identify a funding strategy.Mr. Sewell mentioned numerous grants and
long term loans that might be attainable and went on to add that they planned
on helping staff to apply for recreational trails program grant funding and
future enhancement grant funding from FDOT.
Commissioner Holt commented that she was in favor of bike trails but was
looking for grants that would provide jobs for the County and stated they
were looking at his company to bring possibilities to the County, not the
County to say, “We’re going to have this great idea”.Commissioner Holt went on to add that there
were no amounts on his information he provided to the Commissioners.
Mr. Sewell explained they did not put amounts on the information
because they would change a lot and would depend on the project and the match
of the county, etc.
Commissioner Holt said if the County had an idea of a range of
figures, it would be easier to help prepare for a project.She said that they also worked with the
Small County Coalition and that was working with the large and medium size
counties so if they had a business they didn’t want, it may fit for Gadsden
County.
Mr. Sewell commented that was something that could be looked into and
another thing was that some of the grants are focused on infrastructure and
job production and his firm could look at that as well.He also added that they had worked with
another county looking at their interchanges and said Gadsden County was in a
wonderful position because of the 4 interchanges on I-10.He added that the opportunities were significant.
Commissioner Holt said one project she had mentioned before was a water
works park at I-10 because of wanting people to come shop, have fun but then
go back to Tallahassee and this was a great location to attract that business.
Mr. Sewell told the Board that was something he would work on.
CLERK OF COURTS
There was no report from Clerk Thomas.
3.
Presentation of County
Finance and County Clerk Issues
CONSENT
Commissioner Morgan asked to
pull item 7 for quick clarification.
UPON MOTION BY COMMISSIONER
HOLT AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MORGAN THE BOARD VOTED 5-0 TO APPROVE THE
CONSENT AGENDA, TO-WIT: ITEMS 4, 5, 6, 8 AND 9.
4.
Approval of Minutes
- September 4, 2012 – Regular Meeting
- September 18, 2012 – Regular
Meeting
- October 16, 2012 – Regular Meeting
5.
Ratification of Approval to
Pay County Bills
6.
Approval of Library Annual
Plan of Service 2012-2013
7.
Request Approval of the
Local Agency Program (LAP) Supplemental Agreement to Increase Funding for the
Greensboro Train Depot Restoration Project
The Board voted to remove this
item from the consent agenda in order to discuss it.
8.
Approval to Piggyback on
Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Contract with World Fiber
Technologies for a Caution Light Upgrade – Fairbanks Ferry Road and Concord
Road
9.
Approval of the Services
Contract with Con-Techs Health and Safety to Provide Drug and Alcohol
Screening Services and Training Services
ITEMS PULLED FOR DISCUSSION
7.
Request Approval of the
Local Agency Program (LAP) Supplemental Agreement to Increase Funding for the
Greensboro Train Depot Restoration Project
Commissioner Morgan asked to
have the background of this clarified.The background information stated that the County applied for grant in
2010.
Clyde Collins stated that this agenda item is add-on to original of
$29,000.
After clarification Commissioner Morgan moved for approval.
Commissioner Holt commented that this was the second part and was
started in 2007 but she also wanted to clarify when supplemental agreement
increased the LAP grant to $592,640, if it was a build-out.
Mr. Collins replied yes.
UPON MOTION BY COMMISSIONER
MORGAN AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HINSON THE BOARD VOTED 5-0 TO APPROVE ITEM
7 OF THE CONSENT AGENDA.
CITIZENS REQUESTING TO BE
HEARD ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
There were no citizens
requesting to be heard.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
10.
Approval of Close-Out
Budget Amendments for Fiscal Year 2012 – Resolution 2012-036 and Budget
Amendments
Mr. Presnell stated this was
for public hearing for the fiscal year budget and apologized for lateness in
amendments and added that the Clerk’s office server in finance had been down.
Chair Croley asked if there were a total of adjustments.
Jeff Price came forward and stated he did not have a total.
Chair Croley asked if the money had to come out of cash balances.
Chair Croley then announced this was a public hearing and asked if
anyone wished to speak and no-one came forward.
Commissioner Holt stated when doing amendments they look at what
moved and why and the information before the Board not saying why.
Chair Croley stated he understood about the technology issues, but hard
for public to respond to public hearing when information comes out day
before.
UPON MOTION BY COMMISSIONER
MORGAN AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HOLT THE BOARD VOTED 5-0 TO APPROVE THE
CLOSE-OUT BUDGET.
GENERAL BUSINESS
11.
Consultant Services Contract
to Implement the Uniform Method for the Levy, Collection, and Enforcement of
Non-Ad Valorem Assessments, to Recover a Portion of the Costs Incurred in Paving
Ames Barineau Road (the “Road”) from All of the Owners of Real Property
Abutting the Road, Pursuant to the Special Assessment for Road Improvements
Ordinance
Mr. Presnell said this item
would be handled by David Weiss, Assistant County Attorney.
Mr. Weiss addressed the Board and stated they had been thru this item
several times, generally contract calls for initial payment of $2,000 to
develop special assessment tax roll.He
added the annual maintenance fee would be $1,500 and would depend on how long
wanted to have total payment collected.
Commissioner Hinson asked for him to elaborate little more.
Mr. Weiss explained if the County wanted to recoup portion of costs,
they would need to move forward with adopting an ordinance or resolution.Had problems in past and they found out were
not doing it appropriately.
Chair Taylor said in all fairness the newly elected Commissioner
needed little more history.She
explained there were landowners that wanted paved road.They agreed they would pay 2/3 of costs and
county pay 1/3. Now the County was trying to find method to collect.
Chair Croley asked Commissioner Hinson if he understood the 2 roads
and the background.
Chair Croley stated the issue had been resolved with action of future
liens.
Commissioner Holt asked what specifically would Government Services
do for the County.
Mr. Weiss added he stated to Government Services their appearance
would be good at the meeting and they responded that the contract included 2
on-site visits and an appearance would count as one of the visits.
Commissioner Morgan stated this originated in 2004 and total amount t
of money uncollected is $70,000.He
added this was not handled correctly and suggested making request to current homeowners
to try to collect portion of money owed and chalk up as lesson learned.
Commissioner Holt explained they needed to try to collect money owed.
New property owners need to investigate
and pay what they are supposed to pay.
Commissioner Taylor stated the concern tonight was there was no
uniform method to collect money owed.She
added the Board asked Government Services to come up with way to have this
money owed to be paid.They said they
would come up with uniform method of levy.She added that they needed to adopt a rule of how this was to be conducted.She added she would like to send this back
and have them come and answer questions.
Chair Croley commended Commissioner Taylor and said she said
everything perfect and added this debt could not be forgiven without good
faith effort to collect. Only way to
be able to continue is to have funds in hand.He added he had no problem in asking Government Services to come back
and answer questions directly, but this could not be ignored.
Chair Croley asked Mr. Weiss his professional recommendation to the
Board.
Mr. Weiss replied that if the Board wanted to move forward with
creating an assessment roll, this would be a good use of county funds.
Chair Croley asked Mr.Presnell his opinion regarding this matter.
Mr. Presnell stated they had been before the Board before and this was
what they do and tax collectors all over the State of Florida are very
familiar with their services. He
further added if the Board wanted to try to collect the money, this was the
avenue to pursue.
Commissioner Taylor asked where the guarantee was from Government
Services, they requested a guaranteed payment.
Chair Croley asked to move forward and said it seemed to be the consensus
of Board to see if Government Services representatives would come to next
meeting and said he agreed with point Commissioner Taylor made and wanted to
look at having them combine into one agreement for both roads.
Mr. Weiss stated it was cleaner to have 2 separate agreements.
UPON MOTION BY COMMISSIONER
TAYLOR AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HINSON THE BOARD VOTED 5-0 TO TABLE THIS
MATTER.
12.
Consultant Services
Contract to Implement the Uniform Method for the Levy, Collection, and
Enforcement of Non-Ad Valorem Assessments, to Recover a Portion of the Costs
Incurred in Paving Quail Roost Drive and Quail Roost Drive West (Collectively the
“Road”) from All of the Owners of Real Property Abutting the Road, Pursuant
to the Special Assessment for Road Improvements Ordinance
UPON MOTION BY COMMISSIONER TAYLOR AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HINSON
THE BOARD VOTED 5-0 TO TABLE THIS MATTER.
13.
Agreement for Economic
Development Services FY 2012-2013
Mr. Presnell introduced Item
13 as noted above.
Commissioner Hinson stated he had questions for Mr. Gardner.
David Gardner, Executive
Director, Gadsden County Chamber of Commerce, 211 North Duval Street, Quincy,
FL, appeared before the Board.
Mr. Gardner said Commissioner Hinson had a question regarding the
retention clause and language came from Tallahassee/Leon County EDC contract
and have been several instances he had worked with particular business in trying
to retain jobs in Gadsden County.
Commissioner Hinson stated one of programs talked about was GTI, if
can train in Gadsden County, workforce would come from Gadsden County.
Commissioner Hinson stated he had reservations at first, but at same
time, had given commitment already, mentioned wanted to have economic
development workshop after first of year to learn what hot topics each
commissioner had.
Commissioner Morgan thanked Mr. Gardner for coming before the Board
and stated the Board chose to drastically cut funds to economic arm of the
Chamber and really important for everyone to understand not going to get the
time that have gotten in years past.
Commissioner Holt stated when she looked at projects, what Mr. Gardner
said he would do, he did and added to Mr. Gardner that in looking at his
plan, it stated 60 jobs and asked where those jobs would come from.
Mr. Gardner stated there were 8 projects in pipeline right now, long
term jobs and added last 4 years very challenging for country.
Commissioner Holt stated the Board needed to work together with the
Chamber to go after jobs, she mentioned the work product and how
commissioners all over the state worked with their Chamber to draw jobs into
the area and told him not to be shy asking for workshop.
Commissioner Hinson commented he liked to respect fellow
commissioners, year already started, made commitment to Chamber, needed to
move forward.He added that he agreed
with Ms. Holt, need to have meeting and plan in place by January.
Commissioner Taylor commented she agreed with Commissioner Hinson to
move forward because this had been approved, but contract needed amendment.Where contract talks about 60 jobs, read
carefully because said “create and/or retain” and added if BASF stays open,
still have to pay because he’s retained 60 jobs.We need to invest in economic development,
if can create 25 NEW jobs that was
not here in 2012, willing to give to him 100%. She told him to become regular attendee of
meeting.Afraid he was
“cherry-picking” and said it scared her.
Commissioner Morgan stated he moved to approve option 1.
Commissioner Taylor asked if caveat could be amended to add “25 new
jobs” to come in.
No second to Commissioner Morgan’s motion.
Commissioner Taylor asked to move approval of contract with amendment
to add to “create 25 new jobs in fiscal year 2012-2013”.
Commissioner Holt stated she didn’t understand why 60 jobs weren’t
attainable with 6 towns, 4 interchanges, agriculture, flower nurseries, and railroad
and can’t come up with 60 jobs.
Commissioner Taylor stated she wanted attainable thresh-hold, didn’t want
to be unfair.
Chair Croley stated there was motion and second on floor.
Discussion continued between the commissioners over language in
contract.
Commissioner Hinson said language said create or retain 60 jobs and amend
language that all jobs over 60 will not carry over to next fiscal year.
Chair Croley clarified Commissioner Taylor’s motion to state “Create
or retain total of 60 jobs AND create 25 NEW jobs and all jobs over 60 will
not carry-over to next fiscal year”.
UPON MOTION BY COMMISSIONER
TAYLOR AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HINSON THE BOARD VOTED 5-0 TO TABLE THIS
MATTER.
14.
Approval of Architectural
Consultant to Develop Bid Documents for Repair and Replacement of County Jail
Locks
Mr. Presnell introduced Item
14 as noted above.
At this juncture, Commissioner Taylor stepped out of room.
UPON MOTION BY COMMISSIONER
HOLT AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MORGAN THE BOARD VOTED 4-0 TO APPROVE THIS
MATTER.
15.
Request Approval to Award
Bid Number 12-13 for Greensboro Train Depot Restoration
Mr. Presnell introduced Item
15 at noted above.
UPON MOTION BY COMMISSIONER
MORGAN AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HOLT THE BOARD VOTED 4-0 TO APPROVE THIS
MATTER.
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
16.
Small County Coalition
Appointees
Mr. Presnell stated there
were couple of items, one, Board needed to make two appointments to Small
County Coalition Board of Directors and appoint staff liaison.
Commissioner Taylor arrived back at this juncture of the meeting.
Chair Croley stated members currently were Commissioners Morgan,
Taylor and Former Administrator Johnnie Williams, and asked Mr. Presnell if
he would serve in that capacity and called for comments.
Commissioner Holt stated she would do it and then Commissioner Taylor
nominated Commissioner Hinson.
UPON MOTION BY COMMISSIONER
MORGAN AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HOLT THE BOARD VOTED 5-0 TO APPROVE THIS
MATTER.
17.
Update on Board Requests
Mr. Presnell stated there was
conflict with first meeting in January and asked for direction to cancel or
reschedule.
UPON MOTION BY COMMISSIONER
TAYLOR AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MORGAN THE BOARD VOTED 5-0 TO CANCEL FIRST
MEETING IN JANUARY.
UPON MOTION BY COMMISSIONER
TAYLOR AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MORGAN THE BOARD VOTED 5-0 TO MOVE THE
SECOND MEETING IN JANUARY to 6:00 P.M.
Mr. Presnell stated he and Mr. Gardner had meeting scheduled with GLF
Construction and Workforce Plus regarding the by-pass job and asked for
guidance needed about workshops on revenue, jail situation, comprehensive
plan and economic development and how frequent to schedule.
Chair Croley asked if agreeable with commission to schedule one
workshop a month.
Commissioner Holt suggested two meetings in January and added could
be before the meeting.
Chair Croley asked Commissioner Hinson about the retreat he mentioned
and added with holidays approaching didn’t see how could be done until after
first of year.
At this juncture of the meeting, Chair Taylor stepped out of the
meeting.
Chair Croley then suggested to Mr. Presnell to schedule the retreat first of January, economic
development in same month, then in February focus on revenue and have grant
people present for that meeting, then capital improvements and comp plan
should follow.
Commissioner Morgan stated if looking at a retreat probably a
Saturday morning and on workshop meet at 6:00 p.m. but schedule on day
different from meeting because would be spent if did workshop and then
meeting.
At this juncture, Commissioner Taylor returned and Commissioner
Morgan stepped out of the meeting.
COUNTY ATTORNEY
Mr. Weiss had nothing to
report.
18.
National Solar Update
19.
Update on Various Legal
Issues
DISCUSSION ITEMS BY
COMMISSIONERS
20.
Commissioner Hinson,
District 1
Commissioner Hinson thanked
everyone and stated he thought they were moving in the right direction.
Commissioner Croley,
District 2 – Report and Discussion on Public Issues and Concerns Pertaining
to Commission District Two and Gadsden County
Chair Croley thanked everyone
for their support, thanked Commissioner Taylor for her services as Chair and
Commissioner Morgan as Vice-Chair.
Commissioner Holt, District
4 – County Concerns
Commissioner Holt said in
looking at numbers concerning road paving, the amount mentioned was $70,000,
she was looking also and added it was approved in 2008 and amounts were $104,640
and $57,342 and 2/3 of that total would be $107,988.
Commissioner Morgan,
District 3 – District 3 Concerns