Board of County Commissioners

Gadsden County, Florida

AGENDA

Regular Public Meeting

July 1, 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 (arrived late)

                                Sherrie Taylor, District 5

                                Nicholas Thomas, Clerk

                                Robert Presnell, County Administrator

                                David Weiss, County Attorney

                                Marcella Blocker, Deputy Clerk

INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND ROLL CALL  Chair Hinson called the meeting to Order at 6:00 p.m. He then asked for a moment of silence and then led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. Flag. A silent roll call was taken by Marcella Blocker.
AMENDMENTS AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA UPON MOTION OF COMMISSIONER CROLEY AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HOLT, THE BOARD VOTED 4-0 TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS WRITTEN.
AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND APPEARANCES There were no awards, presentations or appearances.
CLERK OF COURT Mr. Thomas was not present and there was nothing to report.
CONSENT UPON MOTION OF COMMISSIONER CROLEY AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HOLT, THE BOARD VOTED 4-0 TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS WRITTEN.
1.	Approval of Minutes                 -May 6, 2014, Regular Meeting
2.	Approval of Adopt-A-Road Agreement with the Rittman Family
ITEMS PULLED FOR DISCUSSION
CITIZENS REQUESTING TO BE HEARD ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS EMILY ROWAN, 1200 Little Sycamore Road, Quincy, FL  32351, came forward to give praise to Mr. Curtis Young and his staff on their good work at Public Works Department.
PUBLIC HEARINGS  Mr. Presnell stated that Commissioner Morgan was running a little late, but would be attending the meeting.
3.	PUBLIC HEARING-Adoption of Ordinance 2014-002, Adopting Procedures to Consider Acquisition of Property Interests in and Acceptance of Maintenance Responsibility for Certain Private Roadways in the Unincorporated Area of the County Under Certain Conditions  Mr. Weiss explained the above ordinance. Mike Dorian, 145 Alligator Run, Quincy, FL  32351, came before the Board to speak in support of this matter. Commissioner Holt asked if there was a list and said if they were doing this Ordinance, they need to have something in range per district. Commissioner Taylor said in looking at the list, all districts were covered, some roads were not on the list because of being limited to the 60 foot right-of-way.  She added she felt that once a citizen had done their due diligence, didn’t feel right they might be turned down. Mr. Weiss responded. Commissioner Morgan arrived at this juncture of the meeting. Mr. Weiss stated the way the ordinance was written, there could be 2-3 roads in one district that totaled one mile or there could be one road over a mile that would qualify. Commissioner Holt stated she had a problem with that because what if there were a road that totaled 10 miles. Mr. Presnell stated there was not a road in excess of 2 miles. Commissioner Croley said there were 2 programs to assist with roads. Commissioner Holt stepped out at this juncture of the meeting. Commissioner Holt returned at this juncture of the meeting. Croley-5 concerns-creating a false expectation in public’s mind, it apply with the ordinance, extremely burdensome 2^nd-at time when fuel revenue declining, not enough funds to cover 3^rd-extremely difficult to meet FS in bringing roads up to standards 4^th-if passes way written, can reduce right-of-way standards 5^th-at time already facing pressing maintenance issues, talking about added costs of additional drainage issues Don’t see logic of trying to go forward in this manner when being challenged with on-going maintenance issues. Chair Hinson asked if there were any legal issues.  Mr. Weiss said the Ordinance was a legal ordinance, they had to find that it served a county need. Commissioner Holt asked if it would make sense to look at those items before the public spent their money. Ordinance set up to come before the Board to see if they would be willing to accept the road. Commissioner Holt asked the criteria for the public to meet the requirements for the process. Mr. Weiss mentioned the criteria that was listed in Section 3 of the Ordinance. Commissioner Morgan asked who compiled the list of roads-Community Development Department.  Commissioner Taylor said items listed in the criteria was not consistent. Commissioner Croley said that a lot of the roads on the list was set up in subdivisions, etc., and had serious questions on how this would work. Commissioner Holt said when was doing subdivisions, there were some agreements with them previously to this being done. There was discussion around the Board concerning this matter. Commissioner Holt asked if an amendment could Commissioner Holt made motion to amend to add ordinance to automatically sunset in three years and #9 subject to considering previous county agreements/Croley 4-1 Morgan opposed. Mr. Dorian re-appeared before the Board. Commissioner Morgan made a move to dis-approve and reject. Chair called for vote 4-1 Commissioner Morgan opposed. Motion passed.
GENERAL BUSINESS
4.	Approval to declare items in the Emergency Medical Services Department as Surplus  Mr. Presnell introduced item. UPON MOTION OF COMMISSIONER CROLEY AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MORGAN THE BOARD VOTED 5-0 TO APPROVE THE ITEM.
5.	Appointments to the Gadsden Industrial Development Authority  Mr. Presnell introduced above item. Commissioner Croley stepped out at this juncture of the meeting. Commissioner Holt stated they needed to consider people who were interested in economic development. Commissioner Croley returned at this juncture of the meeting. Commissioner Croley said the Board had to have applications to act on.  Chair Hinson moved to table item/Holt.  4-0 Commissioner Morgan stepped out at this juncture of the meeting. Commissioner Taylor asked if they could merge this Board with Economic Development. Commissioner Morgan returned
6.	Appointment to the Quincy-Gadsden Airport Authority  Mr. Presnell introduced item. Commissioner Croley made motion to approve Ashley May, there was discussion before second. Chair Hinson asked in the future, for the names of nominees to not be made public.  Commissioner Croley explained this Board was one of the few entities that never asked for anything from the County. UPON MOTION OF COMMISSIONER CROLEY AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MORGAN, THE BOARD VOTED 5-0 TO APPROVE THE ITEM.
7.	Approval of the FY 2013-2014 Public Works Mosquito Control Budget  Mr. Presnell introduced the above item. UPON MOTION OF COMMISSIONER CROLEY AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MORGAN, THE BOARD VOTED 5-0 TO APPROVE THE ITEM. Mr. Weiss said needed to be “tentative budget” until Board’s budget approved.
8.	Amendment of the Gadsden County Emergency Repair Program  Mr. Presnell introduced the above item. Commissioner Holt asked how this would bring them up to code-may or may not depending on problems. Allara Gutcher appeared before the Board. Commissioner Holt asked difference in mobile home and modular home. Commissioner Morgan said did not disagree, but asked how repairs could be made if not up to code. Commissioner Holt stepped out. Commissioner Holt returned. Commissioner Morgan asked questions of Ms. Gutcher. Commissioner Taylor asked how a mobile home could be brought to code and how to repair-just like regular home.  If someone came before the Board for help, should not be disqualified simply because they live in mobile home. Commissioner Holt said was for people getting things done, but was not for Chair Hinson said torn on issues, sees both sides, Taylor made motion to make mobile homes eligible and will sunset in one year/Hinson second. Commissioner Croley asked what an eligible mobile home was. Phyllis Moore appeared before the Board to state in her opinion no mobile home was eligible. 3-2 vote Commissioner Croley and Commissioner Morgan opposed. Motion passed.
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
9.	Update on Board Requests   Mr. Presnell stated the Chair and Vice-Chair would be back from the conference and the scheduled board meeting would take place. Mr. Presnell said they were putting together the Annual Public Safety Coordinating Council that was required by law and currently Commissioner Croley was the Chairman of that Council.  Setting meeting up for first week in August and Board selects Chair. Selected Chair Hinson to serve. Holt motion to send chair/Taylor 5-0 Budget workshop 7/24 August 5 workshop before meeting
COUNTY ATTORNEY
10.	Update on Various Legal Issues  Nothing to report Chair Hinson asked about audit firm and how long was approved. Three years.
DISCUSSION ITEMS BY COMMISSIONERS
11.	Report and Discussion on Public Issues and Concerns Pertaining to Commission Districts and Gadsden County
	Commissioner Taylor, District 5   Expressed appreciation to Commissioner Holt on her efforts in Washington, DC When talked about private road, in order for citizens to bring roads up to standards, could public petition county to do work and pay them. When Public Works director distinguished roads, showed was one sided in district 1 & 2.
	Commissioner Morgan, District 3  Commended Commissioner Holt on her efforts in Washington
	Commissioner Croley, District 2  Thanked Commissioner Holt for articulating the needs of all rural counties in Washington. CRTPA-Trails to Sea program-everything moving along Successful in getting information from Georgia counties regarding their transportation programs
	Commissioner Holt, Vice-Chair, District 4  Thanked Board for approving her traveling to Washington.  Felt bad attacking Social Security people because there were workers laid off.  People interested in meeting at library regarding Social Security at other libraries.
	Commissioner Hinson, Chair, District 1  Chair Hinson said something needed to look at is partnering with cities in the county for water park.
RECEIPT AND FILE
12.	A. May 30, 2014 letter from Chief Judge Charles A. Francis (Tentative Budget Request)
	B. May 30, 2014 Letter from the Town of Havana (Periodic Update on Town’s Natural Gas System’s Purpose, Reliability, Associated Hazards, Damage Control & Emergency Preparedness Measures)
	C. June 2, 2014 Letter from Mediacom (Changes to local cable television lineup)
	D. June 3, 2014 Proclamation Honoring the Retirement of Ms. Alice DuPont
UPCOMING MEETINGS
13.	-July 15, 2014, Regular Meeting @ 6:00 p.m.                 -July 24, 2014 2^nd Budget Workshop @ 4:00 p.m.
MOTION TO ADJOURN  Adjourned 8:31 p.m.