Board of County Commissioners

Gadsden County, Florida

AGENDA

Regular Public Meeting

January 20, 2015

6:00 p.m.

Present:               Brenda Holt, Chair, District 4

                                Eric Hinson, Vice-Chair, District 1

                                Dr. Anthony “Dr. V” Viegbesie, PhD, 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

INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND ROLL CALL  Chair Holt called meeting to order at 6:00 p.m., called for a moment of silence and then led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. Flag.   Silent roll call was taken.
AMENDMENTS AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA  Remove Item 2 from consent and make 4A V/Morgan 4-0
AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND APPEARANCES
CLERK OF COURTS
CONSENT  Morgan/V 4-0
1.	Approval of Minutes a. November 18, 2014 Regular Meeting
2.	Approval to Sell Surplus Equipment/Vehicles at Auction
3.	Approval of Adopt-A-Road Agreement with the Mt. Pilgrim P.B. Church Men’s Ministry
ITEMS PULLED FOR DISCUSSION
CITIZENS REQUESTING TO BE HEARD ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
PUBLIC HEARINGS
GENERAL BUSINESS
4.	Approval to Appoint New Library Commission Member  V/Morgan 4-0
4A	Approval to Sell Surplus Equipment/Vehicles at Auction City of Gretna would like to purchase mowing tractor for $10,000 Morgan/V 4-0
5.	Appointment to the CareerSource Capital Region Board  Morgan/V 4-0
6.	Commission Appointment to Serve as Liaison to the Regional Workforce Board  Mr. Presnell introduced item V nominated Hinson /Holt 4-0
7.	Approval of Bid Award and Contract for Collection Agency Services with Ellis, Ged & Bodden, P.A.  Mr. Presnell introduced above item. Commissioner Hinson and Commissioner Viegbesie asked how item was bid. Mr. Lawson said specialty item and was put on website and advertised in local papers and was only response received. Hinson/V  Discussion Holt said seem to be same companies-maybe need to advertise in Democrat also. Called for vote 4-0
8.	Debbie Atkins; Parcel No.: 2-15-3N-6W-0000-00413-1500/Code Enforcement  Mr. Presnell introduced above item and asked if Board wanted to clean up property and place lien on property-costs was approximately $8,500.00. Viegbesie said all necessary steps have been taken for property owner to handle and they have not. Mr. Weiss clarified process. Commissioner Taylor appeared at this juncture of the meeting. Hinson asked how many contractors bid on this item. Clyde Collins appeared before the Board and said there were 2, Barnes Equipment and Johnny Stone. Morgan/V Before vote was taken, Holt asked if property owner was notified of this meeting.  Mr. Collins was not sure if she was notified of tonight’s meeting but she had appeared before the Magistrate in earlier proceedings. Mr. Presnell stated this gives Staff authority to go to her. Mr. Weiss said were in compliance with statutes. Called for vote 5-0
9.	Review and Approval of the 2015 Legislative Priorities  Mr. Presnell introduced above item. Morgan/Hinson Holt asked Ms. Bleakley to step forward and asked her questions. Commissioner Hinson asked about the airport. Commissioner Viegbesie asked similar questions. Ms. Bleakley addressed their questions and concerns. Al Lawson appeared before the Board to also address their questions and concerns.  Holt called for vote 5-0
10.	Discussion of the Establishment of a New Staff Position  Mr. Presnell introduced above item. Chair Holt explained was basically same position Charles Chapman had and asked if any comments. Taylor concerned about Board looking at new position and asked if needed position or could wait until into budget meetings.  Not fiscally responsible to entertain position now. Mr. Presnell said one concern was how to pay and Board would be using contingency or could draw from general fund balance. Hinson said position was added with Property Appraiser, thinks need to hold off until budget set. Viegbesie said his position was same, more involved than salary, would add to pension, insurance, etc.  Position should include grant writing skills. Holt said exactly why asked for position, need organized system.  Hinson asked status of grant position-re-advertised this week. Morgan asked to discuss item before them.  Asked Administrator if, when they talked if he thought position needed-no. Viegbesie said when advertised, what media was used, maybe should expand search and way advertised because current way may not have good pool of people with knowledge and ability. Holt said adamant about this position.  Taylor said what hearing around board not bad position but wrong timing.  Need to see a need to fill position.  Hinson said few things that could be used, i.e recreational parks, affordable housing, Chair Holt stepped out. Chair Holt returned. Taylor asked Hinson question- Holt said regarding this position, there was no way the Manager could say don’t need if never had it. Viegbesie said item on agenda stated project coordinator/manager position and every department had a manager.  Don’t need someone personally responsible, need someone to bring funds.  Should concentrate on someone who could bring funds in. Holt said no vote-make it short, deadlines to be met and need to bring in someone to go after available funds/projects.  Morgan had comments-focusing on wrong thing.  Thinks should advise Administrator what they want him to do. Holt asked direction of the Board. Hinson-allow county manager to do research on matter and bring it back. Viegbesie moved that determination should be left in the hands of the Administrator after Board determines position really needed.  He then can come up with job description. Taylor said tends to agree, if looking as position of grant writer needs to Morgan stepped out. If Manager sees need for position, bring back to board Morgan returned. Viegbesie asked to move item. Morgan pointed out was for discussion only. 5-0
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
11.	Update on Various Board Requests  Agreed with assessment on advertising positions.  Hoped to find need for 2 grant managers. Asked if they knew anyone concerned about community willing to meet to bounce ideas around to move county forward. Hinson asked to put Shirley Arran on list.  Dr. Viegbesie said would provide name by email. Legislative Delegation Monday at 6:00 p.m. Art exhibit at library until January 23^rd. Got grant for 2 years for Gadsden Connector-will connect with Gadsden Express-add routes for Chattahoochee, Greensboro, Gretna-more formal announcement to come.  Weak link is Quincy Shuttle, need certain places for van to move folks around. If could use budgeted funds, would like Board to discuss.  Holt asked for more information and details. Taylor concurred for more information.  Grant and route to take effect February 1^st. Viegbesie asked if they had social media account-yes, Facebook and Twitter. Hinson asked for official letter. Viegbesie said they could also provide letter to churches. Presnell said having pamphlets printed also. Morgan asked about for update on By-pass. Will be in Viegbesie’s comments. Then asked about contract with Chamber.  Item was approved and needs to come before the Board. Viegbesie said Board approved money and what happened in past should not be held against.  If contract provided with deliverables, money can be disbursed.  Chamber provides copy of contract, then it should be presented for approval.  Board discussion. Put on next agenda. Taylor said not clear, Holt said reputation when say do something and don’t.  Morgan-put on agenda to bring back for approval or not/V 5-0. Expenses budgeted for BOCC meetings to be televised in past, what where they-$12,000-Morgan hoped it seen as need.
COUNTY ATTORNEY
12.	Update on Various Legal Issues  Update on pending litigation-SM Financial v. Gadsden County-successful at trial court level to have dismissed, appealed, successful in affirm, successful for attorney fees.
DISCUSSION ITEMS BY COMMISSIONERS
13.	Report and Discussion of Public Issues and Concerns Pertaining to Commission Districts and Gadsden County
	Commissioner Anthony “Dr. V” Viegbesie, PhD, District 2  Viegbesie updated on CRTPA meeting-long list of projects- Holt stepped out. Gave list of lights at interchanges and resurfacing, airport runway expansion. Will have another meeting on 9th Holt returned Quincy Bypass-conversation to schedule where to go with next phase with expansion. Mentioned need of traffic light at other end of by-pass and asking DOT engineers to take look at need. Interested in vision of Performing Arts Center. Stones and Teligent interested in moving across street to expand.  Suggest Chair have conversation with School Board Administrator.
	Commissioner Gene Morgan, District 3  None
	Commissioner Sherrie Taylor, District 5  Asked manager on demo discussed earlier-how would money be recouped-can do nothing until owner sells or decided to sell. Mr. Weiss said way to foreclose on liens if first lien owner on property. Would incur expenses. Good news on expanding shuttle route, has been asked about expanding route to Tallahassee on Saturdays.  Also talk to City of Quincy with regard to assistance. Asked Roberts Rule on Chair have authority of what goes on agenda and concerned.  Mr. Weiss said Ordinance governed and provided that Administrator prepare agenda and approved by Commission as body not Chair.  Taylor said need to be cautious. Holt said had not been here when Chair had not done that.  Chair always consults with Manager about agenda. Viegbesie spoke up and said what heard was break-down of conversation-if take personal differences out of role as commissioners, go to Chair and say want particular item on agenda.  Need to take personal feelings out.  Taylor said he asked the attorney for legal opinion to not give premise of anything personal-concerned they handle things above-board.  Asking to follow Robert’s Rules of Order. Holt responded item was not on agenda because did not do what would say would do.  Her concern was procedure was Chair approved agenda.
	Commissioner Eric Hinson, Vice Chairman, District 1  Asked about Highway 12/Concord red light-still getting lots of phone calls.  Mr. Presnell said had evaluated, was told not warranted.  Wait until budget process and see if county can do. Thanked citizens that participated in the Martin Luther King service.
	Commissioner Brenda Holt, Chair, District 4  Auction in Midway, hoped in future to offer auction to local people first.  Want to look at grants under $25,000. Creek Entertainment-testified to State Committee that referendum was voted for and approved by County, now State Commission saying cannot have what was approved. Viegbesie said depended on if chartered or non-chartered, we are non-chartered. Holt said seemed to be slight window. Hinson asked for flow sheet for expenditures under $25,000.
RECEIPT AND FILE
14.	a. Certificate of Completion-Ethics, Public Records, and Sunshine Laws Workshop, Part 1 – Part 3 Commissioner Holt b. Certificate of Completion-Ethics, Public Records, and Sunshine Laws Workshop, Part 1 – Part 3 Commissioner Morgan
UPCOMING MEETINGS
15.	February 3, 2015 – Regular Meeting February 17, 2015 -  Regular Meeting
MOTION TO ADJOURN Adjourned at 8:20 p.m.