Board of County Commissioners

Gadsden County, Florida

AGENDA

Regular Public Meeting

January 21, 2014

6:00 p.m.

Present:               Eric Hinson, Chair, District 1

                                Brenda Holt, Vice-Chair, District 4

                                Doug Croley, District 2

                                Sherrie Taylor, District 5

                                Nicholas Thomas, Clerk of Court

                                Robert Presnell, County Administrator

                                Deborah Minnis, County Attorney

                                Marcella Blocker, Deputy Clerk

Absent:                                Gene Morgan, District 3

INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND ROLL CALL  Chair Hinson called the meeting to Order at 6:00 p.m.  Marva Davis came forward to give the Invocation.  Chair Hinson then led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.  A silent roll call was taken by Marcella Blocker, Deputy Clerk.
AMENDMENTS, PRESENTATIONS AND APPEARANCES UPON MOTION OF COMMISSIONER CROLEY AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HOLT, THE BOARD VOTED 4-0 BY VOICE VOTE TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS WRITEN.
1.	Resolution Recognizing Linda Jones (Retired Educator) Chair Hinson said he had one presentation to make and asked Linda Jones, a retired teacher, to come forward.  He then read the Resolution aloud and presented the Resolution to Mrs. Jones.
2.	Presentation on Animal Care Dr. Greg Winter, DMV (Winter Animal Hospital-Havana, FL)  Dr. Greg Winters was unable to attend the meeting.  Chair Hinson said he had a Certificate of Appreciation to be presented to Dr. Winters.
CLERK OF COURTS
3.	County Finance and County Clerk Issues  Mr. Thomas said in the Commissioners’ packet there was a Cash-in-Summary Report. Commissioner Taylor asked if we were on schedule and if this amount was the amount we should have this time of year.  Mr. Thomas said there was $15.8 Million and this was the time of year they were pretty flush with cash and in part was due to the ad valorem tax revenues being collected.
CONSENT UPON MOTION OF COMMISSIONER CROLEY AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HOLT, BEFORE VOTE WAS TAKEN, COMMISSIONER TAYLOR ASKED TO PULL ITEM 6 FOR DISCUSSION.  THE BOARD VOTED 4-0 BY VOICE VOTE TO APPROVE ITEMS 4, 5, AND 7.  ITEM 6 PULLED.
4.	Approval of Minutes: A. August 22, 2013 Budget Workshop B. September 10, 2013 Budget Hearing C. September 23, 2013 Budget Hearing D. December 17, 2013 Regular Meeting
5.	Ratification of Approval to Pay County Bills
6.	Approval of Contract Change Order for Time Extension on the Jail Locks and Hardware Replacement Order Item pulled for discussion.
7.	Approval of Commissioner Hinson’s Travel to the 2014 NACo Legislative Conference
ITEMS PULLED FOR DISCUSSION
6.	Approval  of Contract Change Order for Time Extension on the Jail Locks and Hardware Replacement Order  Commissioner Taylor said the Board needed to look at a complete renovation of the jail instead of spending $500,000 on locks.  She added once the locks were replaced, there would tend to then be problems with electrical, structure,  and was not going to stop until the Board sits and plans how to completely renovate the jail.  She said it was her opinion that buying the locks was “like putting a band-aid on the Mississippi, you’re not getting to the crust of the problem down there until we do something with the jail completely.” Chair Hinson asked Mr. Presnell how mush renovation would cost. Mr. Presnell said a jail inspection was done week ½ ago, electrical issues been addressed, have capacity related issues, staffing issues, but structural wise putting in a lot of money and making progress. Commissioner Taylor said there was a committed fund to jail, ½ cent sales tax, and she said once the locks were replaced, it could cause problems electrically.  She asked that they beware of further problems that could come down the line. Commissioner Croley said he was disappointed in the additional time it has taken to get the locks repaired and it was his understanding the Bond had been retired. Clerk Thomas said the Bond had been repaid in 1996 and if they wanted to do remodeling, they needed to entertain another bond. Commissioner Taylor asked Mr. Thomas the length of years left.  She said the funds from the sales tax are already committed, but heard Clerk say may be circumstances where can bring down some costs otherwise will find them in very serious situation with jail.  Crime not decreasing. Commissioner Holt said we were lobbying Washington for funds.  Locks are a must, we have no choice. UPON MOTION BY COMMISSIONER HOLT AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CROLEY, THE BOARD VOTED 2-2 BY VOICE VOTE.  COMMISSIONERS HINSON AND TAYLOR OPPOSED.  MOTION FAILED. Commissioner Holt said sooner get locks in won’t have to worry about inmates.  Right now weighing costs against safety, bottom line is safety. Chair Hinson asked if Sheriff had appeared before the Board concerning this problem.  Mr. Presnell said not recently. Commissioner Croley said already committed to buy locks, this is simply asking for an 8 day extension because of production delay.  Can’t go backwards. Chair Hinson said can go backwards, break agreement, need to be more strategic , don’t know how much renovation would cost, Sheriff had not come to Board and present case, to the Chair at least, if serious issue, Sheriff should notify him and Board, tired of patching, wanted options. Commissioner Croley said Sheriff had been before Board several times, disservice to Sheriff, deputies and inmates to not have facility to secure inmates against each other and LEO staff. Mr. Presnell said locks were here, contractor was trying to recoup time lost in production, Brinks had to manufacture locks for this jail.  Chair Hinson said it was brought to everyone’s attention but his the seriousness of the problems at the jail. Stated he supported Sheriff on almost everything he does. Commissioner Holt stated the Board was the owners of the jail.
CITIZENS REQUESTING TO BE HEARD  None
PUBLIC HEARINGS
GENERAL BUSINESS
8.	Approval of Interlocal Agreement for Planning Services With The City of Midway  Mr. Presnell introduced the above item and said this allowed the county staff to perform reviews of planning requests that the City may get.  Is long term goal to build department up. UPON MOTION OF COMMISSIONER CROLEY AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HOLT.  BEFORE VOTE WAS TAKEN, COMMISSIONER HOLT HAD COMMENTS. Commissioner Holt asked when they do annex, to please consider annexing all roads in to prevent struggles in future. Commissioner Taylor asked if would be any costs for use of county staff. Mr. Presnell explained hourly cost to not exceed $23,500 and would charge by hour. Dot Inman-Johnson, Interim City Manager for City of Midway, appeared before the Board to further explain the working relationship with the County and said would be through September 30, 2014.  Thanked the Commissioners and staff for their assistance. Commissioner Taylor asked if there were any plans in the future to develop a P&Z board in Midway.   Ms. Inman-Johnson said yes. CHAIR HINSON CALLED FOR THE VOTE.  THE BOARD VOTED 4-0 BY VOICE VOTE TO APPROVE THIS ITEM. At this time, Chair Hinson also mentioned the death of Commissioner Holt’s brother and asked everyone to keep her family in their prayers.
9.	Bettie Shelton Arnold; Parcel ID#: 2-15-3N-6W-0000-00413-0300/Code Enforcement  Mr. Presnell introduced the above item and said they were asking approval to clean up lot. UPON MOTION OF COMMISSIONER CROLEY AND SECOND OF COMMISSIONER TAYLOR, THE BOARD VOTED 4-0 BY VOICE VOTE TO APPROVE THE ABOVE ITEM.
10.	Adoption of 2014 Legislative Priorities  Mr. Presnell introduced the above item and said needed to be finalized for meeting scheduled for Thursday night. Chris Doolan, Legislative Representative, appeared before the Board. Commissioner Holt said she needed to leave but her only suggestion was economic development. Mr. Doolan said was 2 projects: 1- Agriculture Multi-purpose Facility 2- Courthouse renovations Will be submitted as separate projects. Commissioner Holt at this juncture of the meeting. Mr. Doolan said important to mention County receives well over $20 Million in revenue sharing.  Commissioner Croley asked if the Medicaid increase had anything to do with “ObamaCare” and Mr. Doolin explained the increase was due to a change in the billing process and nothing to do with “ObamaCare”. UPON MOTION OF COMMISSIONER CROLEY TO APPROVE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS FOR THE AGRICULTURAL FACILITY AND COURTHOUSE RENOVATION FUNDING.  BEFORE A SECOND, COMMISSIONER TAYLOR HAD QUESTIONS. Commissioner Taylor asked whose idea was the Courthouse renovations and Multi-purpose center. Mr. Presnell explained the Courthouse was his and Clyde’s and Multi-purpose center was Dr. Grant’s. Mr. Presnell said if the Commissioners had something they wished to put on the legislative agenda, now was the time to have it added. COMMISSIONER TAYLOR SECONDED COMMISSIONER CROLEY’S MOTION AND THE BOARD VOTED 3-0 BY VOICE VOTE TO APPROVE.
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
11.	Update on Board Requests  Reminded the Legislative delegation set for Thursday in BOCC Chambers. Said he and Curtis working on road information/transportation issues, can meet at 5:00 before meeting to have transportation workshop on February 18^th.  Rolling out new website on February 18^th and will have presentation also.
COUNTY ATTORNEY
12.	Update on Various Legal Issues  National Solar, reached out to vice-president, they have completed initial grid and are moving forward. Commissioner Croley asked if they were aware of any litigation going on with utility providers or transmission companies over property evaluations. Mr. Weiss and Mr. Thomas said no.
DISCUSSION ITEMS BY COMMISSIONERS
13.	Report and Discussion on Public Issues and Concerns Pertaining to Commission Districts and Gadsden County
	Commissioner Taylor, District 5  Asked Mr. Presnell for information regarding Red Cross and he said getting them on agenda. She asked about land that county owned regarding parks.  Said had property owners willing to donate land. Said reviewing letter from FDOT for project regarding Fairbanks Ferry Road, she asked Commissioner Croley how CRTPA became involved with project. Commissioner Taylor said roads were not done equally, not fair, things being done in specific districts only.  Said all she has seen so far was roads in District 2 and 3 being done. Commissioner Croley said there was a formula, didn’t go by districts. Commissioner Taylor said wise choices had not been made on CRTPA Board. Mr. Presnell said at workshop consultant will be present and can answer all questions.
	Commissioner Morgan, District 3
	Commissioner Croley, District 2  Commissioner Croley said Commissioner Taylor failed in her recollection regarding Joe Knight Road was paved. Commissioner Taylor said that road did not go through CRTPA, board approved. Commissioner Croley said when looking at funding, different pots of money have to use where they qualify.
	Commissioner Holt, Vice-Chair, District 4
	Commissioner Hinson, Chair, District 1  Asked if Hospital Board had representative from each district-Mr. Presnell said on next agenda, not by district. Asked for update on Havana Heights housing project parking lot situation. Clyde Collins appeared before the Board and said cable still up, EMS & Sheriff have key and said did not have authority to make them take down. Commissioner Hinson said community still in uproar, girls going in labor can’t get to ambulance, having to walk up hill to ambulance, seniors having access problems receiving mail-order medicines because can’t be dropped off at door. Mr. Presnell said they have talked to owners, HUD representatives and said may want legal counsel to research matter. Commissioner Hinson stated thought about doing press conference. Commissioner Taylor warned Commissioner Hinson to be careful in speaking to the press to not speak on behalf of the Board without direction from the Board. Mr. Weiss asked for clarity in what was going on with the problem and said he needed more information to research the matter. Mr. Collins said EMS, Bid Bend Transit has problems. Commissioner Croley asked for clarification on problems with parking. Commissioner Croley said not sure how can use public money to take up issue with private property. UPON MOTION OF COMMISSIONER TAYLOR AND SECOND BY CHAIR HINSON, BEFORE VOTE WAS TAKEN, COMMISSIONER CROLEY HAD COMMENTS. Commissioner Croley asked if complex was in city or county and if could use public funds to pay county attorney to research and take up private issue with private landowner unless would be within his retainer. THE BOARD VOTED 3-0 BY VOICE VOTE TO HAVE COUNSEL RESEARCH MATTER AS LONG AS WITHIN RETAINER.
RECEIPT AND FILE
14.	A. December 17, 2013 letter from Chairman Hinson to the United Stated Department of                 Health Services (Support letter for Bond Community Health Center Service Area               Grant Application)                 B. January 3, 2014 letter from County Administrator to Ms. Petrina Herring, Office of            Criminal Justice Grants (Certificate of Acceptance of Sub-grant Award for Contract                No.: 2014-JAGC-GADS-1-E5-235)
FEBRUARY MEETINS(S)                 -February 4, 2014, Regular Meeting @ 6:00 p.m.                 -February 18, 2014, Regular Meeting @ 6:00 p.m.
MOTION TO ADJOURN  Meeting adjourned at 7:32 p.m.