Board of County Commissioners
Gadsden County, Florida
AGENDA
Regular Public Meeting
August 20, 2013
6:00 p.m.
Present: Doug Croley-Chair, District 2
Eric Hinson-Vice Chair, District 1 (arrived late)
Gene Morgan, District 3
Brenda Holt, District 4
Sherrie Taylor, District 5
Nicholas Thomas, Clerk of Courts
Robert Presnell, County Administrator
Deborah Minnis, County Attorney
Marcella Blocker, Deputy Clerk
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INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND ROLL CALL The Chair reminded everyone to please silence all cell phones. The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. He asked everyone to stand for the prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. Flag. Marcella Blocker took a silent roll call.
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AMENDMENTS AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chair Croley asked if there were any amendments to the Agenda.
Mr. Presnell stated that Mr. Buddy Peddie asked that his item (Item 12) be pulled from the agenda.
UPON MOTION BY COMMISSIONER MORGAN AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HOLT, THE BOARD VOTED 4-0 BY VOICE VOTE TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS AMENDED. (ITEM 12 BEING REMOVED)
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AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND APPEARANCES
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1. |
Presentation of Resolution 2013-016 Honoring the Life of Patricia Elaine Fletcher Vice Mr. Presnell introduced the above item and stated it was a presentation of a Resolution honoring the life and the service of Mrs. Patricia Elaine Fletcher Vice. Chair Croley asked Commissioner Morgan to present the Resolution to the Family. The Resolution was read by Marcella Blocker and Commissioner Morgan then presented it to the family.
Commissioner Hinson arrived at this juncture of the meeting.
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2. |
Recognition of 2012-13 High Performing School Principals Mr. Presnell introduced the above item and stated this was in recognition of the “A” and “B” schools in Gadsden County. Chair Croley called Mr. Reginald James, Superintendent of Schools, forward and congratulated him on the success of the schools in the County. Plaques were then presented to the Principals or representative of the schools.
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3. |
Down & Dirty Motorcycle Club 4th Annual Family & Friends Day No-one was present regarding this item. |
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CLERK OF COURTS
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4. |
County Finance and County Clerk Issues Clerk Thomas stated in the packet there was a cash report. He cautioned them that while this was a very good report, he would advise them to be careful. Clerk Thomas gave accolades to the Board and the County Administrator. He added that the Board had increased general funds over the past 5 years, keeping ad valorem taxes at the same rate or lower and had made everything more efficient. He asked them to think a year in advance to enable him and the Finance Director to get an overview of where things stand with cash and said in the coming year, things will be reduced. He added in 2015 things would change and would be a little tighter.
Commissioner Taylor asked if the County was at $5.3 Million at one time and Clerk Thomas stated Yes but part of that money was restricted funds.
Chair Croley asked if a Memorandum could be done to break down the figures to better help them understand the figures he gave them.
Commissioner Holt stated that no matter what, they had to look at economic development.
Commissioner Morgan said he appreciated the report and mentioned anyone could go on-line and get real-time figures. He added the economy was flat.
Chair Croley echoed his thanks for bringing the report to the Board.
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CONSENT Commissioner Holt asked to pull Items 7 & 9.
Commissioner Morgan asked to pull Item 11.
UPON MOTION OF COMMISSIONER HOLT AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HINSON, THE BOARD VOTED 5-0 BY VOICE VOTE TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AS PRINTED. (ITEMS 5-6, 8 & 10)
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5. |
Approval of Minutes |
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6. |
Ratification of Approval to Pay County Bills |
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7. |
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8. |
Approval to Award Bid Number 13-12 to Rudd’s Pest Control of Greensboro for Pest Control Services
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9. |
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10. |
Approval of the Mosquito Control Annual Certified Budget
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11. |
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12. |
Item Pulled
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ITEMS PULLED FOR DISCUSSION
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7. |
Approval to Award Bid Number 13-12 to Rudd’s Pest Control of Greensboro for Pest Control Services Commissioner Holt said she had discussed this item with the Manager and asked about hiring local people to help service the contracts.
UPON MOTION OF COMMISSIONER HOLT AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HINSON, THE BOARD VOTED 5-0 BY VOICE VOTE TO APPROVE THE ITEM.
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9. |
Approval to Award Bid Number 13-13 to Gulf Atlantic Culvert Company, Inc. for Asphalt Coated Culvert Pipes Commissioner Holt echoed hiring local people.
UPON MOTION OF COMMISSIONER HOLT AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HINSON, BEFORE THE VOTE WAS TAKEN, COMMISSIONER TAYLOR HAD QUESTIONS.
Commissioner Taylor asked Mr. Presnell if there was only one bidder for this item.
Mr. Presnell stated they usually receive two bids but only one had been received for this bid.
Commissioner Taylor asked per the Board’s policy, could they move forward with only one bid.
Mr. Lawson stated yes.
THE BOARD VOTED 5-0 BY VOICE VOTE TO APPROVE THE ITEM.
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11. |
Approval to Accept the FY 2013 Third Quarter Budget Status Report Commissioner Morgan had two comments; there was a 316% increase in debt service and a significant increase in capital projects of 183%. Mr. Jeff Price stepped forward and explained the items.
UPON MOTION OF COMMISSIONER MORGAN AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HINSON, THE BOARD VOTED 5-0 BY VOICE VOTE TO APPROVE THE ITEM.
Clerk Thomas stated there should be budget amendments presented on the grants. |
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CITIZENS REQUESTING TO BE HEARD ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
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Ed Allen, 268 Chinquapin Way, Quincy, FL, appeared before the Board to speak on redistricting. He stated that under the Constitution of the State of Florida, Article VIII(e) stated ”After each decennial census the board of county commissioners shall divide the County into districts of contiguous territory as nearly equal in population as practicable”. He stated on April 16th, the Board failed to do their job by not redistricting. He added that the total sum of Gadsden County was 46,389 for an average population per district of 9,278 and District 1 was 16% over the recommended population and it goes to 9% under for District 4. He said the Board voted to not redistrict and he thought they needed to take another vote and be sure to do what the Constitution said to do.
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PUBLIC HEARINGS
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13. |
Public Hearing (Quasi-Judicial) Gussie’s Garden Inn Assisted Living Preliminary Site Plan (SP-2011-02) (Tax Parcel ID # 3-10-2N-4W-0000-00134-04000) A conceptual plan was filed in 2005 prior to the requirement of a Citizen’s Bill of Rights. Therefore, the applicant’s agent has asserted that a CBR meeting was not required. Bryan and Gwen Peacock-Kidd, of 18179 Blue Star Highway spoke at the Planning Commission meeting and had concerns over the addition traffic impacts and the need for a traffic signal at the intersection of US 90, W. Olean Street and Ben Bostick Road.
At the July 18th public hearing, the Planning Commission voted to approve the Gussie’s Garden Inn Preliminary Site Plan with conditions based on the findings in the staff report and testimony presented at the public hearing. Mr. Presnell stated this was for approval of preliminary site plan to allow the conversion of the existing warehouse facility into an assisted living facility.
Chair Croley asked if there was anyone who wished to speak for or against the matter and there was no-one.
Commissioner Holt asked that Mr. Harris and Jill Jeglie please come forward.
Jill Jeglie, Planning and Community Director, and Mr. Charlie Harris 2255 Luten Road, Quincy, stepped forward and were sworn in by Deputy Clerk.
Commissioner Holt had questions.
UPON MOTION OF COMMISSIONER HOLT AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HINSON, THE BOARD VOTED 5-0 BY VOICE VOTE TO APPROVE THE ITEM.
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GENERAL BUSINESS
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14. |
Approval of Joint Economic Development Resolution 2013-015 with the Cities of Chattahoochee, Gretna, Midway and Quincy, the Towns of Greensboro and Havana, and Gadsden County Mr. Presnell said this was a Joint Resolution of all the Municipalities and the County to be on board to move forward with economic development.
Chair Croley asked if there were any questions.
Commissioner Taylor stated this was something that needed to have been done years ago and was a great start and asked if the other cities and towns would be adopting the same resolution.
Mr. Presnell stated yes, some already have adopted this.
Commissioner Hinson said in looking at community college, Bainbridge College offered in-state tuition and offered more than TCC as far as truck driving, etc.
Keith Dowdell, Commissioner with the City of Quincy, and said there was a meeting last Tuesday, they passed the matter until they have their budget meeting and plan to move forward with the resolution.
Commissioner Hinson stated there were hundreds of students driving to Bainbridge and to Chipola and asked to not limit this to TCC.
Commissioner Morgan said the Administrator had started this as a building block and could move forward to Bainbridge and Chipola and added that the Resolution was exactly right for the baby steps that needed to be taken.
Mr. Presnell said as things proceeded, everyone would be asked to participate in a joint meeting to move forward.
Chair Croley stated that was a good idea and anything that could be done to enhance would be good.
Commissioner Taylor asked that maybe this should be taken before the other boards, but to deal with what was before them at the time.
UPON MOTION OF COMMISSIONER TAYLOR AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HOLT, THE BOARD VOTED 5-0 BY VOICE VOTE TO APPROVE THE ITEM.
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COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
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15. |
Update on Board Requests Mr. Presnell said Ochlocknee River was supposed to crest over Highway 12 tonight, to please be careful traveling home.
Budget workshop set for Thursday, August 22nd at 4:00 p.m.
Commissioner Morgan stated he appreciated his efforts regarding the budget and he should be commended on his efforts for getting communications started on the previous item.
He stated there was one item placed on the consent agenda at the last meeting that significant changes were made to the item following the Boards’ discussion. He made a request for the Board to consider if the item is different from what they discuss, please put on a separate agenda item for them to discuss.
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COUNTY ATTORNEY
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16. |
Update on Various Legal Issues Mrs. Minnis stated she had no issues.
Commissioner Taylor asked about the Solar Farm and stated she was concerned with the agreement being out there and did not know if there was a deadline on the agreement. Mrs. Minnis said they had heard that they were still looking at sites and planned on moving forward still. She added there was nothing that the Commission was doing to delay.
Mr. Presnell stated he, David Gardner and the attorney had met. After that, Solar contacted him.
Chair Croley asked if it was be OK with Commissioner Taylor if Mrs. Minnis brought the contract to the next meeting and gave a brief report.
Commissioner Morgan said out of respect to National Solar, if it was to be agendaed, to please inform them so they have the opportunity to be present.
Chair Croley said he thought Commissioner Taylor was not trying to discuss the points, but trying to
Commissioner Morgan asked Mrs. Minnis if they were adhering to the State Constitution concerning the redistricting and asked for clear advice concerning the matter. Mrs. Minnis said her recommendation remained the same as at the earlier meeting and that was to hire a representative to investigate. Mrs. Minnis said without getting into the logistics of a non-agendaed item.
Commissioner Holt asked for a copy of her billing and Mrs. Minnis stated her bill for July just went out and she would be receiving a copy of the bill.
Commissioner Hinson said it was interesting they had discussed the Solar Farm, and said when the attorney was asked to research something, what the retainer covered on their bill.
Mrs. Minnis stated they take the dedication to public service.
Commissioner Morgan stepped out at this juncture of the meeting.
Commissioner Hinson said he would never try to discredit someone.
Commissioner Morgan returned. |
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DISCUSSION ITEMS BY COMMISSIONERS
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17. |
Report and Discussion on Public Issues and Concerns Pertaining to Commission Districts and Gadsden County
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COMMISSIONER TAYLOR, District 5 Commissioner Taylor said she was hopping on the retainer wagon also. She added that Jackson County just got a Kia plant and that businesses were flocking there.
Mr. Presnell said they were willing to work with us anything they could.
She said the first two days of school were exciting but there was always room for improvement. She asked, if she was not overstepping her boundaries, asked that they reach out to schools in their district and help them.
She brought up the retainer and the county attorney and said they were going into budget talks and this was an opportunity to address that.
UPON MOTION BY COMMISSIONER TAYLOR AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HOLT, THE BOARD VOTED 4-1 BY VOICE VOTE, TO HAVE THE ADMINISTRATOR DRAFT A LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR LINK IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. COMMISSIONER MORGAN OPPOSED.
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COMMISSIONER HOLT, District 4 Went to the TDC meeting last night and said The Board was responsible for any board and what they spend. She said there were things added to the agenda that had not been advertised.
Chair Croley stated they could not be a part of anything that was not being properly handled and asked Mr. Presnell to research what was happening and report back to the Board at the next meeting.
She added there was one item that was over $5,000 and it should have come before this Board.
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COMMISSIONER MORGAN, District 3 Commissioner Morgan said the TDC followed closely the state statutes on spending and no-one even cared about TDC until it was discovered there was money there.
Commissioner Holt stepped out at this juncture of the meeting.
He added the issue of over $5,000 being spent and clarified that was for three different events that totaled just over $6,000 and was not for one project.
He asked that they keep in mind that in a small rural county, it could be difficult.
He also mentioned the costs with the attorney firm and asked them to remember there was a lot less in legal fees being spend than earlier. He asked them to be careful and positive on how they move forward and asked them to be professional.
Commissioner Holt added she met Duane “Rock” Johnson Sunday morning, went to Tallahassee to eat and discussed economic development in Gadsden County.
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COMMISSIONER HINSON, Vice Chairman, District 1 Commissioner Hinson stated he was trying to figure out how to fund the EMS issue in Midway.
He congratulated the County on hosting a Small Business Workshop and said he received a lot of information at the workshop.
He added he had heard great things regarding Public Works and asked the status of hiring of a director. Mr. Presnell said it was scheduled for the next meeting.
He said there was a ribbon cutting scheduled for Thursday in Havana for a day-care center at 10:00 a.m. and hoped everyone could be there to participate to help promote small business.
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COMMISSIONER CROLEY, Chairman, District 1 Chair Croley complemented Public Works on their efforts during the rainy season that we have experienced.
He mentioned the Pledge on the front of the podium and reminded everyone that Port St. Joe had passed a Pledge of Civility and stated they were all here for one thing—to do the right thing for the County.
He stated he wanted to be cautious on one matter and stated Mr. Allen had spoken before the Board concerning redistricting issue and he said he knew the right thing to do was to look at it in some form. He said his concern was and would remain that they had taken no action. |
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RECEIPT AND FILE
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18. |
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a. |
Letter from Michael Dorian (Gadsden United, Inc.) to the Board
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b. |
August 6, 2013 Letter from BOCC Chair to members of the family of Mr. Ralph Lee Perkins
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c. |
July 29, 2013 Letter from Florida Department of Health (½ Cent Sales Tax Prevention & Education Program 3rd Quarter Report)
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August Meeting(s) -August 22, 2013 Budget Workshop at 4:00 p.m. |
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September Meeting(s) -September 3, 2013 (Regular Meeting at 6:00 p.m.) -September 10, 2013 (1st Budget Hearing at 6:00 p.m.) -September 17, 2013 (Regular Public Meeting at 6:00 p.m.) -September 23, 2013 (Final Budget Hearing at 6:00 p.m.) |
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MOTION TO ADJOURN The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m. |
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