Board of County Commissioners
Gadsden County, Florida
AGENDA
Regular Public Meeting
August 19, 2014
6:00 p.m.
Present: Eric F. Hinson, Chairman, 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 Chair called meeting to order at 6:00 p.m., called for a silent prayer and led in the Pledge of Allegiance. A silent roll call was taken by Marcella Blocker.
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AMENDMENTS AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA Pull Item 13
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AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND APPEARANCES Morgan/Croley 4-0 |
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1. |
Proclamation Recognizing National Breastfeeding Month, August 2014 Chair Hinson said this was the National Breastfeeding Month and in support asked the Board Members to come forward, he read the Proclamation aloud and presented it to representatives of the Healthy Start Program.
Emily Rowan asked them if they found that the number of mothers breastfeeding had increased-yes.
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CLERK OF COURTS Nothing to report
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CONSENT Pull 3 & 4
Holt/Croley 4-0
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2. |
Approval of Minutes a. July 1, 2014 Regular Meeting
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3. |
Approval of Adopt-A-Road Agreement with the Little River Plantation for Shady Rest Road (Highway 12 to Lanier Road)
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4. |
Approval of Adopt-A-Road Agreement with the Little River Plantation for Lanier Road (from Shady Rest Road south 1.9 miles)
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5. |
Approval of Contractual Agreement Between CenturyLink and Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners
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6. |
Approval of Commissioner Hinson’s Travel to the Florida Association of Counties Policy Conference & Board Orientation
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ITEMS PULLED FOR DISCUSSION
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3,4 |
Commissioner Croley applauded Little River Plantation for this undertaking.
Croley/Holt 4-0 |
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CITIZENS REQUESTING TO BE HEARD ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS None |
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PUBLIC HEARINGS
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7. |
PUBLIC HEARING- Adoption of the Amended Housing Element to the Comprehensive Plan Mr. Presnell introduced the above item-been before Board before, changes been made
Commissioner Taylor appeared at this juncture. Commissioner Taylor stepped back out. Croley/Holt 4-0
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GENERAL BUSINESS
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8. |
Approval to Accept the FY 2014 Third Quarter Report Croley move to approve
Morgan asked for summary.
Commissioner Taylor returned.
Holt second 5-0 |
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9. |
Appointment to the CareerSource Capital Region Board Mr. Presnell introduced the above item.
Morgan moved approval for Ms. Gay/ Croley second 5-0 |
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10. |
Approval of the State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) Annual Report Mr. Presnell introduced the item.
Croley/Holt 5-0
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11. |
Approval of Engineering Consulting Services for Gadsden County Mr. Presnell introduced the above item.
Morgan moved for approval of Preble Rish
Chair Hinson thanked all engineering firms.
Croley second and DBP be added-Morgan no-
Discussion-
Holt-need to look at economic opportunities
Hinson-put off for two weeks everyone disagreed
Croley seconded Morgan’s initial motion
Taylor wanted to have multiple engineering firms because of history, need second set of eyes, don’t want to put restrictions on second company-be counter-productive.
Morgan-look at history, just what want to do-all very good firms, look at facts, 96% of costs with current firm covered by grant fund, gave back to county.
Hinson-need to make sure everyone can swallow-didn’t come with second choice in mind and bring back at next meeting.
Croley-no reason-want to vote on motion
Hinson called for vote 2-3 Motion failed
Croley moved that civil and surveying engineering go to Preble-Rish and housing and special grants awarded to DBP/Taylor seconded if don’t tie manager’s hands 5-0
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12. |
Appointments to the Gadsden County Industrial Development Authority Mr. Presnell introduced above item.
Croley moved to replace Bert with Mr. Clayton and reappoint Barry Haber in District 5/Morgan 5-0
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Item pulled
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14. |
Consideration of Offer from TCC for the County to Purchase the W.A. Woodham Building Mr. Presnell introduced the above item. Offer to sell building to County for $100,000 and there is need for extensive repairs to building.
Croley asked Mr. Presnell if they could continue to occupy as presently being done and make repairs as needed.
Holt-hadn’t voted on final budget yet, can’t put cart before the horse.
Morgan-we’re leasing building for $1.00/yr until 2049, as long as Sheriff there, they won’t tear down, possibility of TCC giving us building
Weiss-only point in looking at lease-can be terminated in 90 days
Hinson-talked about adding new tax to build new building
Croley-not willing to take building, most ridiculous business move
Morgan motion to have Administrator contact TCC and let know we will take building free of charge/Holt Croley & Taylor opposed Motion passed.
Croley-disclosed if take building there are drainage issues with adjoining property owners and issues about that now and need to make sure before take it, look into all legal ramifications
Taylor-voted against it because felt that $100,000 was fair amount and want to support initiative of scholarships for students in this area and could get someone to go after USDA grant and make building energy efficient and be incentive for people for businesses.
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15. |
Approval of Interlocal Agreement with the City of Gretna to Provide Building Inspection and Plans Review Services Mr. Presnell introduced item Croley/Holt 5-0
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16. |
Appointment of Commissioner and Alternate to the Canvassing Board Mr. Presnell introduced item
Hinson said Uncle’s wife running for office and he can’t be on canvassing board
Croley moved Morgan and Taylor as alternate/Holt 4-1 Taylor opposed
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CITIZENS REQUESTING TO BE HEARD *When this agenda item was originally reached in the meeting, no citizen had requested to speak. After the Board starter discussing General Business, a Speaker form was filled out and the Agenda was amended to let the citizens speak at this time. Commissioner Croley moved that they entertain at this time, the request for the citizens to speak. Commissioner Holt said no motion was needed because the meeting had not been closed.*
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Mr. Alphonso Figgers appeared before the Board-asked why dental Clinic closed and why citizens not informed
Mr. Presnell said Health Dept not under BOCC although they do provide facilities and some equipment.
He further said since bypass near to completion, would there be sidewalks for Strong Road from High Bridge Road and sidewalks from Strong Road to South Chalk Street.
Croley said trying to get sidewalks in under safety money and on list and if money left over may can move money over for sidewalks and said maybe Mr. Justin Ford could address that.
Justin Ford, Preble-Rish, addressed the Board and said sidewalks had been addressed several times and made note to bring up at next meeting.
Morgan pointed out they were discussing non-agenda items and needed to be careful.
Hinson said would give Taylor change to speak.
Morgan asked attorney if they could do that.
Attorney said should be careful when taking general public comments not to start discussing non-agenda items.
Madison or Live Oak just established new hospital and asked if plans for this hospital to go into full operation.
Commissioner Morgan left the meeting.
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Mr. Peter Okonkwo, Spectra Engineering & Research, spoke to Board regarding the selection process of the engineering firms. It was questioned if he could speak as engineering firm-pointed out can speak as citizen. Said in listening to commissioners speak and wanted to share having diversity in procurement process not a bad thing-several counties hire more than 1 firm and establish relationships with firm. Reason only received 6 responses when should have received 20 or more is perception that Gadsden County has niche of one firm, can’t change, they stopped submitting but decided to submit this time. Diversity always good.
Hinson said Board committed to minority business and hiring local.
Croley pointed out couldn’t engage in too much dialogue.
Holt said he was correct that record not look good and needed to improve on diversity.
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COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
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17. |
Update on Various Board Requests Mr. Presnell said digital books are up and running at library now.
Request for meeting Monday, September 8th at 1:30 p.m. from TCC to discuss drainage issues and commissioners invited to attend-can designate someone, Chair could go or all can attend.
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COUNTY ATTORNEY
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18. |
Update on Various Legal Issues Need to call recess for private meeting. Croley moved to amend agenda to move shade meeting after commissioners comments 4-0
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19. |
Recess BOCC Meeting for a Private Attorney-Client Session (Pending litigation pursuant to Section 286.011(8), Florida Statutes-Vickie Dilliard d/b/a Escape Lounge vs. Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners) *Decided to move private meeting to end of Commissioners comments*
Croley made motion to move shade meeting to after commissioners comments/Holt 4-0
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20. |
Reconvene BOCC Meeting
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DISCUSSION ITEMS BY COMMISSIONERS
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21. |
Report and Discussion on Public Issues and Concerns Pertaining to Commission Districts
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Commissioner Taylor, District 5 Put $100,000 request back on agenda for scholarship.
Motion to put scholarship back on agenda to discuss for scholarship purposes before November.
Hope with engineering firm, get better rate like did with attorney firm.
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Commissioner Morgan, District 3
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Commissioner Croley, District 2 Nothing to report
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Commissioner Holt, Vice Chair, District 4 Sidewalk issue-look at something from Atlanta Street going out to City of Quincy and add lights.
Diversity issue is issue-need to look at hiring and contracting locals
Weiss-if want to implement that policy-need to change procurement policy
Holt wants policy brought back
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Commissioner Hinson, Chair, District 1 Hinson thanked everyone for a great meeting.
Board recessed for private meeting at 7:31 p.m.
Reconvened at 7:54 p.m. |
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RECEIPT AND FILE
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22. |
Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (Gadsden County On-Site Monitoring – July 18, 2014)
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UPCOMING MEETINGS
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August 21, 2014-Budget Workshop @ 4:00 p.m. September 2, 2014-Regular Meeting @ 6:00 p.m. September 11, 2014-1st Public Hearing (FY2015 Budget) @ 6:00 p.m. September 16, 2014-Regular Meeting @ 6:00 p.m. September 22, 2014-2nd Public Hearing (FY2015 Budget) @ 6:00 p.m.
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MOTION TO ADJOURN Croley moved to adjourned /Holt second 4-0
Adjourned at 7:54 p.m. |
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