Board of County Commissioners
Gadsden County, Florida
AGENDA AND NOTES
Regular Public Meeting
April 7, 2015
6:00 p.m.
Present: Brenda A. Holt, Chair, District 4
Eric Hinson, Vice Chair, District 1
Dr. Anthony “Dr. V” Viegbesie, 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 Chair Holt called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. , asked everyone to stand for a moment of silence and then led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. Flag. A silent roll call was conducted by Marcella Blocker, Deputy Clerk.
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AMENDMENTS AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA Pull Item 2; add 15A Proclamation for President Magnum Morgan/V 4-0
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AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND APPEARANCES
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1. |
Presentation of Audit Ron Whitesides, Audit Partner, Purvis, Gray & Company Ron Whitesides, Auditor, appeared before the Board and presented the County Audit.
Commissioner Taylor arrived at this juncture of the meeting.
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2. |
Morris Young, Sheriff Item pulled |
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CLERK OF COURTS
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CONSENT
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3. |
Approval of Minutes a. February 3, 2015 Regular Meeting b. March 3, 2015 Regular Meeting Morgan/V |
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ITEMS PULLED FOR DISCUSSION
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CITIZENS REQUESTING TO BE HEARD ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
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Teran Smith, 3185 Atwater Road, Chattahoochee, FL, Trespassing and General Topics, Appeared before the Board. Asked for fair, honest, loyal service from the public servants and discussed his trespassing problems with the neighbors they were having.
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PUBLIC HEARINGS
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4. |
PUBLIC HEARING-Regarding Economic Development and the Creation of an Economic Development Grants Program Mr. Presnell introduced the above item.
Commissioner Hinson suggested after the retreat was out of the way, then discuss this after they have their goals and visions in place.
Chair Holt said when she asked for this money, she intended it for businesses to come to I-10.
Dr. V asked if the 5 new employees had to be residents of Gadsden County.
Chair Holt asked if anyone in the public had comments.
Commissioner Morgan asked that she better explain this item.
Commissioner Taylor agreed that the I-10 corridor needed to be developed. She asked the Attorney if he had reviewed the attached Ordinance
Mr. Presnell suggested they workshop this item.
Dr. V felt they were rushing the document.
V/Hinson-workshop item 5-0
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GENERAL BUSINESS
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5. |
Approval of Fuel Services Agreement with FAMU Board of Trustees Mr. Presnell introduced the above item.
Taylor motion to approve
Dr. V said still did not see deterrence in payment
Mr. Weiss stated the Interlocal Agreement had the Prompt Payment Act incorporated into the Agreement.
Dr. V second 5-0
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6. |
Board Direction on the Renewal of the Legal Services Contract for Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners Mr. Presnell introduced the above item.
V moved for RFP/Holt 3-2 Morgan, Taylor opposed
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7. |
Discussion of Right-of-Way Between Highway 90 and Flying J’s Travel Center Mr. Presnell introduced the above item.
Mr. Weiss commented on this item.
Dr. V asked if they determine that County owned the property, could the property be offered to Flying J.
Commissioner Morgan said his opinion was they need to take no action.
Chuck Willis, 481 Peters Road, Midway, FL, appeared before the Board.
Commissioner Morgan stepped out at this juncture of the meeting.
Commissioner Morgan returned.
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8. |
Approval to Award Bid No.: 15-02 for an Animal Cremation Services Mr. Presnell introduced above item.
Commissioner Morgan said knew money was budgeted, asked what overall costs were.
Dr. V asked if the $39,900 included warranty and upkeep-no. V/Taylor 5-0
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9. |
Quarterly Write-Off of EMS Accounts Mr. Presnell introduced above item.
Commissioner Taylor asked if the $575,407 was the yearly amount or the quarterly amount.
Mr. Presnell stated approximately 35% was collected.
Morgan/Hinson 5-0
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10. |
Approval of the Criteria of the Summer Youth Employment Program 2015 Mr. Presnell introduced above item and listed criteria students needed to meet in order to participate.
Hinson stated felt should make it 100 positions, only extra $15,000 to do so.
Commissioner Morgan stated not responsibility of county government to provide jobs for young children. So many other needs that should be addressed. Nit good idea.
Dr. V asked what was currently budgeted-$85,000
Hinson said budget had been changed in past for other items, felt this could also.
Taylor stated when Hinson first came on board, he was against it, now he for it and she supported him with increase of 100 students.
Mr. Lawson appeared before the Board and explained minimum wage went up January 1st, was not anticipated, was 85 positions, now only 80 with budget. Explained $85,000 budgeted but could only employ 80 students with increase in minimum wage. If want to go to 100 students, need to add for 20 more students.
Morgan said for public, when looking at agenda item under fiscal impact, should be easy to understand what impact of tax dollars are.
Holt in favor of increase, thinks not problem to do 100 students.
Mr. Weiss asked if would require budget amendment-Presnell no- done with contingency internal budget amendment
Mr. Weiss pointed out item was notices for approval of criteria
Holt said get positions out of way and if approve 100 positions, come back with item, but approve positions first.
Hinson motion to approve 100 positions/V 4-1 Morgan opposed.
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11. |
Approval to Authorize Expenditure of the Courthouse Facilities Reserve for Related Necessary Improvements at the Guy Race Courthouse Annex and Offices of the Public Defender and Approve all Related Contracts and Agreement Mr. Presnell introduced above item.
Chair Holt asked if the architect was bid out.
Taylor said it was mandated security at Courthouse and wants to make sure funds are not depleted on this item.
Dr. V had suggestion for job creation, some of job sub-contractors be local-Mr. Weiss said changes were not made to procurement policy.
Holt suggested procurement policy be brought back up.
Hinson made motion to approve/V Morgan had questions 5-0
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12. |
Approval of Signature(s) for Satisfaction of Special Assessment Lien(s) State Housing Initiative Partnership “SHIP” Program Taylor/V 5-0
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13. |
Approval of Signatures for Special Assessment Liens and Rehabilitation Contract-SHIP Program Taylor/V 5-0 |
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14. |
Johnson William; Parcel ID No. 3212N3W000004210200, Code Enforcement Mr. Presnell introduced item and was clarification Taylor/V 5-0
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15. |
Countywide Striping-Professional Services Mr. Presnell introduced item.
Taylor/V 5-0
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15A |
Added Proclamation V/Holt 5-0
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COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
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16. |
Update on Various Board Requests CDBG Grants Asked to be able to pursue grants for affordable housing.
Hinson suggested to wait until retreat to discuss.
Taylor said would entertain after Administrator does research.
Hinson interested in trying to get CDBG grant for community center, especially on east side of town.
Presnell issued letter re: Stevens School and the insurance, lessee may vacate building.
Florida Competitive Program going very well, first 2 requirements met.
Bike Race turning into large event.
Retreat at Creek Entertainment scheduled for Thursday, April 9th at 4:00 p.m.
Audit-everyone had done excellent job in reducing debt.
Commissioner Morgan asked about revising purchasing threshold and if had any negative impacts-had problems at hospital and working on bids to bring to Board. Encouraged Board to go back to levels previously had.
Taylor said hoped it would be agendaed for a more reasonable amount to be discussed made motion /Morgan 2-3 motion failed.
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COUNTY ATTORNEY
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17. |
Update on Various Legal Issues Mr. Weiss reported motion to file Amicus brief for Gretna Racing approved and was filed.
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DISCUSSION ITEMS BY COMMISSIONERS
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18. |
Report and Discussion of Public Issues and Concerns Pertaining to Commission Districts and Gadsden County COMMISSIONER SHERRIE TAYLOR, District 5 Taylor asked to go on record putting themselves in jeopardy with low threshold
Asked timeframe for work on Hogan Lane
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COMMISSIONER ERIC HINSON, Vice Chair, District 1 Nothing to report
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COMMISSIONER GENE MORGAN, District 3 One item approved tonight was to bid attorney services-does it include hospital attorney-yes
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COMMISSIONER BRENDA HOLT, Chairperson, District 4 Date of bicycle race- and asked that commissioners support event
Emergency Management-Board over it
Hinson pointed out if emergency happens, Governor called Chair of Commission, not Sheriff
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COMMISSIONER ANTHONY “DR. V” VIEGBESIE, PhD, District 2 Asked if hospital attorney and county attorney different firms-no
Very amazed to know that sunshine law pertains to boards and board members need to have knowledge of that law Suggested that commission educate volunteers with regard to law.
Hinson suggested do workshop with emergency management
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RECEIPT AND FILE
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19. |
DEO-Comprehensive Plan Amendments
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UPCOMING MEETINGS
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20. |
April 21, 2015-Regular Meeting May 5, 2015-Regular Meeting
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MOTION TO ADJOURN Adjourned at 8:12 p.m. |
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