Board of County Commissioners
Gadsden County, Florida
AGENDA
Regular Public Meeting
May 20, 2014
6:00 p.m.
Present: Eric F. Hinson, Chair, District 1
Brenda Holt, Vice Chair, District 4
Doug Croley, District 2
Gene Morgan, District 3
Sherrie Taylor, District 5
Nicholas Thomas, Clerk of Court
Robert Presnell, County Administrator
David Weiss, County Attorney
Marcella Blocker, Deputy Clerk
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INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND ROLL CALL Vice Chair Holt called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. (Chair Hinson was here for previous workshop, but had not returned to the meeting.) |
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AMENDMENTS AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA Croley/Morgan 4-0 |
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AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND APPEARANCES
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1. |
Opportunity Florida Update Jim Brook, Opportunity Florida, appeared before the Board and gave a brief update and presentation of Opportunity Florida.
Commissioner Morgan stepped out at this juncture of the meeting.
Chair Hinson appeared at this juncture of the meeting.
Commissioner Morgan returned at this juncture of the meeting.
Commissioner Holt asked why the vacate clause on the tower.
Commissioner Croley said water tank close to jail and would that work. Yes, will take back and look into availability.
Commissioner Morgan asked about price of services-is taxpayer money, and should be cheaper because of such.
Commissioner Taylor asked if any of the underground fiber was associated with them and if there were any health risks.
Commissioner Croley asked for periodic reports from them.
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Clerk of Courts Mr. Thomas referenced couple of emails previously sent to the Board members concerning Capital Regional Medical Center & second was distribution of half cent tax.
Talked briefly about fuel tax-slight problem last year-revenue was down-now has stabilized.
Chair Hinson asked why do analysis-what prompted it. Did they use less-no used fund balance.
Commissioner Croley said feds show-does it include county levies and state-yes. Looks like overspending.
Commissioner Holt said why have budgeting director
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CONSENT Taylor pull quarter reports. Taylor/Croley 5-0 |
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2. |
Approval of Minutes -April 1, 2014 Regular Meeting -April 15, 2014 Regular Meeting
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ITEMS PULLED FOR DISCUSSION
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3. |
Approval to Accept the FY 2014 2nd Quarter Report Commissioner said appreciate saving money, but when over-budget items.
Mr. Presnell said at end of year will not see over-budget.
Commissioner Morgan said very good tool and was it posted to website? Yes.
Taylor/Holt 5-0 |
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CITIZENS REQUESTING TO BE HEARD
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Robert Copeland, 7th grade math teacher at Shanks, see need for community outreach program for youth and asked if board had any suggestions for assistance. |
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PUBLIC HEARINGS
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4. |
PUBLIC HEARING-Transmittal Hearing for the Amendment of the Housing Element of the Comprehensive Plan to the Department of Economic Opportunity for Review. Mr. Presnell introduced above item.
Allara Gutcher appeared before the Board and said was updating and reflect statutory changes.
Commissioner Morgan returned at this juncture of the meeting.
Commissioner Holt said reason she asked to discuss-was public hearing and needed to be explained to the public.
Commissioner Croley said no attachments, nothing showing additions, deletions, and nothing showing had been before P&Z.
Commissioner Croley asked why we were placed on frozen list and why was substantial money paid out earlier.
Holt/Morgan 5-0 |
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GENERAL BUSINESS
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5. |
Keith and Shady E. Trim; Parcel ID No. 6-02-1S-4W-1270-0000C-0100/Code Enforcement Mr. Presnell said dealing with code enforcement case, was first code enforcement case and lien was placed on property. Asking that lien be released and collect $1500.00.
Mr. Weiss explained pros and cons, releasing property but not the Trims
Holt/Morgan 5-0 |
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6. |
Approval & Execution of Resolution 2014-010 and the Non-Exclusive Interlocal Subscription Agreement Granting Florida PACE Funding Agency the Authority to Offer Voluntary Financing through Non-ad valorem Special Assessments to Gadsden County Property Owners for Qualifying Improvements to Commercial Properties and Properties Subject to Non-Conventional or “Jumbo Loans.” Mr. Presnell introduced the above item and said approved for commercial properties. Morgan/Croley
Commissioner Taylor had questions and asked that they explain difference in non-conventional and jumbo loans.
Lisa Miller and David Ash, Florida PACE Program, appeared before the Board to answer questions.
4-1-Taylor opposed
Hope Childree, Independent Green Technologies, appeared before the Board and was contractor in support of PACE.
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7. |
Selection of Legal Services Provider for Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners Croley-continue with Ausley Law Firm for continuity for one year and negotiate phone calls and emails and if conflicts arise, will represent Gadsden County/Morgan second Hinson asked if decide to go in that direction-1 year renewal not 3 year,
Commissioner Holt feels they represent too many entities now and need to reconsider in case of conflicts. Wants to make sure being represented properly. Recommended Nabors law firm.
Commissioner Taylor said felt that anything said at this point was for nothing. Not receiving things in timely manner, did not feel equal representation around board. Time to improve-do something different.
Chair Hinson said his intent was Nabors throughout. Couldn’t communicate with attorney because of being charged, if emailed, got charged, bill was $180,000 and went down to $120,000.
Commissioner Taylor said if using expenditures as gauge, look at previous years because they knew contract up for renewal, look at history.
Hinson said for the record, Board does not always vote together, got to be fair.
Commissioner Morgan said here to make decision on legal advice, not economic development. Reason he supports Ausley was hospital and Ausley employs Gadsden County citizens, costs have been reduced.
Taylor said she stated facts, tried to keep above-board and professional, took up peoples’ time with applications
Hinson believed in being fair.
Holt said like Nabors because of legislative side, like Ausley because . Point is no-one has addressed conflict of interest and need assurance.
Croley said all 4 law firms are outstanding firms, but from old school, if you’ve been working for me, I not going to fire you, made motion out of consistency and respect.
3-2 Holt, Taylor opposed.
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COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
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8. |
Update on Board Requests CRMC presenting awards to 2 paramedics that transported citizen and saved his life.
Thursday, 5:30, DOT giving by-pass update.
Wednesday, May 28 5-6 CRTPA meeting
Taylor asked if position open at Health Department, Kessler being moved to Lee County, State transitioning Max Martinez into his position.
Croley wanted to follow up on comments about marketing efforts and prospects with Economic Development.
Acknowledged planning staff on support of economic development and making changes.
Morgan asked about flooding issues in county and if anything needs eye kept on.
Curtis Young stepped forward and said Edwards’s property was only one.
Hinson asked in future if road closures, the administrator call and let them know.
Asked if could do proclamation for Alice DuPont for 30 years’ service.
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COUNTY ATTORNEY
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9. |
Update on Various Legal Issues Thanked everyone for their support
Also pointed out under receipt and file letter from City regarding annexation and asked if County wanted to object and pointed out reasons why they might want to.
Holt said concerned and if any public county roads, needs to be addressed, is short road that is county-maintained, David said can file formal objection. Can approach City to ask about road.
Croley-before take any action, is Taylor’s district, should hear from her before action taken. Agrees should be challenged.
To be able to get commercial property at I-10.
Successful in getting lawsuit dismissed against County at early stage. Midway agreed to accept maintenance responsibility on road.
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DISCUSSION ITEMS BY COMMISSIONERS
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10. |
Report and Discussion on Public Issues and Concerns Pertaining to Commission Districts and Gadsden County.
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Commissioner Taylor, District 5 Taylor said noticed ad in paper regarding Social Security Office, but according to way brought back, and asked that maybe do something with WCTV.
Cables underground, look into it.
Friends of Library still having issues with administration from library. Look into.
Commissioner Holt stepped out at this juncture of the meeting.
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Commissioner Morgan, District 3 Nothing |
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Commissioner Croley, District 2 Waive second meeting in June. Yes. Croley/Morgan 4-0
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Commissioner Holt, Vice-Chair, District 4 Would like to look at policy of cities annexing properties.
Would help to get video computers and kiosk for social security assistance.
Received call to travel to Washington DC to testify on Committee on Aging on June 18th.
Morgan/Croley 5-0
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Commissioner Hinson, Chair, District 1 Listened to ESPN and this is National Mental Health Month
Morgan left meeting.
Wants Citizens Bill of Rights added to next agenda for discussion.
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RECEIPT AND FILE
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11. |
April 28, 2014 Letter from the City of Quincy (Voluntary Annexation of Properties on Pat Thomas Parkway)
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UPCOMING MEETINGS
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-May 29, 2014 – 1st Budget Workshop @ 4:00 p.m. -June 3, 2014 – Regular Meeting @ 6:00 p.m. -June 17, 2014 – Regular Meeting @ 6:00 p.m.
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MOTION TO ADJOURN Adjourned 8:37 p.m. |
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