Board of County Commissioners

Gadsden County, Florida

Regular Public Meeting

April 19, 2016

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

INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE   Chair called meeting to order, Pastor Shirlean Thomas gave prayer, Chair led in Pledge of Allegiance. Commissioner Hinson asked for Proclamation for his Grandmother that passed away Sunday.
AMENDMENTS AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA  1 amendment-move 13 to 6a Morgan/V 4-0
AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND APPEARANCES  1 presentation
1.	Recognition of The Greenery  Presented Certificate of Recognition to owner
2.	Gadsden County Development Council Update  Mr. Presnell introduced above item Mr. Lee Garner appeared before the Board Johanna Money appeared before the Board Commissioner Taylor appeared at this juncture of the meeting. Justin Ford appeared before the Board Dr. Sylvia Jackson, Gadsden County Technical Institute, appeared before the Board, said Beth Kirkland reached out to her knowing they were looking to rebrand.  Company making investment in workforce pipeline.  John Coffman, Armada Ammunition, appeared before the Board.  Was looking at multiple counties and was apparent Gadsden County was fit.  Rev. Julius Harris appeared before the Board and said he and Wife were owners of Day Care center.  Said he and Wife both committed to economic development and creating jobs. Lee Garner reappeared before Board Elements induces business expansion, attraction & development of speculative space. 6 of 20 sites were advanced in the evaluation process based on land owner engagement, proximity to AN and CSX rail, proximity to I-10; 4 of six near completion Beth Kirkland appeared by phone, appreciated opportunity to share body of work with commissioners.  She introduced the website and took commissioners through tour of it. V very elated with what they have done with website in short time.  Asked for later update, asked GCDC what policy items seen as impediments Chair Holt said they were going to wrap up presentation.  Morgan wanted Beth to know how proud he was of their efforts and accomplishments.
CLERK OF COURTS
CONSENT  Morgan/V-V had questions about Item 3-asked if Amtrak had stop in Gadsden-if not why needed?  Support economic region of Amtrak Chair called for vote 5-0
3.	Consideration of adoption of Resolution 2016-008 to Support the Amtrak Sunset Limited
4.	Ratification to Pay County Bills
5.	Approval of Minutes a. November 5, 2015-Workshop
ITEMS PULLED FOR DISCUSSION
CITIZENS REQUESTING TO BE HEARD ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
	Rev, Shirlean Thomas, 482 Frank Jackson Road-Volunteer Fire Dept.
	Sonya Campbell, 332 David Clemons Road, Volunteer Fire Dept.
	Bobby Parker, Jr., 324 David Clemons Road, Quincy, Volunteer Fire Dept.
	Sara Gordon, 332 David Clemons Road, Quincy-Volunteer Fire Dept.
	Betty Atkins, 8440 Salem Road, Quincy, FL-Volunteer Fire Dept.
	Sarah Figgers, 930 W. Crawford Street, Quincy-Volunteer Fire Dept.
	Pastor Morris, 23201 Blue Start Highway, Quincy-Volunteer Fire Dept.
	Stephanie Harris, 1288 Dogtown Road, Quincy-Volunteer Fire Station
	Linda Douglas, 1226 Dodger Ball Park Road, Quincy-Volunteer Fire Dept
	Kirk Douglas, 1226 Dodger Ball Park Road, Quincy-Volunteer Fire Dept.
	Gloria Bost, 215 Williams Lane, Quincy
	Pamela Gordon, 215 Williams Kane
	Linda Smith, 52 Dogtown Road, Quincy-Volunteer Fire Dept.
	Sharon Haughton, 1062 Dogtown Road, Quincy
	Herb Haughton, 1062 Dogtown Road,
	Mytasha Baker, 627 David Clemons Road, Quincy
PUBLIC HEARINGS
6.	SECOND PUBLIC HEARING for Gadsden County to Apply for Florida Department of Economic Opportunity 2016 Community Development Block Grant  Mr. Presnell introduced above item-second public hearing by Mr. Charlie Harris-has finances in place-Auburn Ford here representing Mr. Harris. Chair Holt asked if any comments from public. Janice Harris appeared before the Board, thanked them for what they had done and said was overwhelmed with support from the County. Hinson approval of option 1/V second 5-0
6a	V said was item up for discussion last meeting and asked it be agendaed.  Fire station needed in this area.  He asked that people in audience raise hand if they were here in support V option one/Hinson  5-0 Charles Morris appreciative of what BOCC doing-in process of forming volunteer fire department
GENERAL BUSINESS
7.	Approval of Resolution 2016-009 for the Transportation Alternatives Program Application Process Through the Capital Region Transportation Planning Agency  Mr. Presnell introduced above item. V option 1/Morgan 5-0
8.	Approval of Agreement with Topview Sports, LLC to Conduct Bicycle Event on behalf of Host Gadsden County Tourist Development Council  Mr. Presnell introduced above item. V/Chair 5-0
9.	Approval of Agreement with Crappie Masters, Inc. to Conduct Crappie Tournament on behalf of Host Gadsden County Tourist Development Council  Mr. Presnell introduced above item. Taylor/V 5-0
10.	2016 Paving Project Phase II-Change Order #1  Mr. Presnell introduced above item. Morgan option 1/ Chair had question-add Jack Scott since across road from Charlie Harris Loop since would be across street.  Add to next meeting  5-0
11.	Approval of Value Adjustment Board Members  Mr. Presnell introduced above item. Chair asked if advertised-yes. V option 1 approving Mrs. Rowan/Taylor amended motion to include present commissioners 5-0
12.	Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAGD16) Subgrant  Mr. Presnell introduced above item V/Morgan  Morgan said saw due April 11^th-still get money 5-0
13.	Consideration of potential purchase of property located on Salem Road, Gadsden County, FL (+-2 acres of Parcel ID No. 2-12-3N-3W-0000-00242-0000) FOR USE AS A Fire Station, and Authorization for the County Administrator and County Attorney to draft a Contract for the Board’s Consideration and Order a Survey of the Property Moved to 6a
14.	Discussion of Jail Re-entry Program   V said was not action item-discussion only Sheriff Morris Young appeared before the Board and said had been before them before regarding the Faith Based re-entry program they have at the jail.  Said over 30,000 been in jail Looking for BOCC to help fund program.  Chair said was on here as action item not discussion and vote should be if approved to V said very much in support of but listed as discussion item, discuss it today and place back on agenda, asked attorney legal ramifications if action taken.  Weiss said depending on urgency of matter, any action taken would be subject to budget  Further discussion- If emergency regarding this, their policy does allow items to be added. Taylor said from her understanding, action tonight it goes for consideration for budget, given that, feels should follow V’s suggestion Chair said as far as emergency, was time-sensitive. V said was going to support it, but listed as discussion item and did not want citizens to think switch and needs to be done in proper process Taylor said needed clarity-when went before legislature, now that denied or vetoed, missing piece-Chair said to let Sheriff clarify. Going back to Governor, they are looking for local dollars to support state dollars.  Taylor wants to support but needs to make sure above board. Taylor asked if he could guarantee if money given would go to this program and not someone’s salary  Will help cover 2 part-time salaries Chair said these were people that had legal issues and would need offices Berry said if they had certificates, better able to get jobs when released Morgan said Sheriff has toughest job in county, already fund program, fund through Redeemed, Ms. Berry said totally different program, V clarified it was diversion program not re-entry-yes.  Morgan said several programs currently funding, 63% of funding going for administrative costs.  Trend getting to be spend, spend, spend.  Don’t see being able to fund $100,000 for program, not able to afford it. Holt said BOCC owned jail, put them on street, crimes committed, go back to jail, Holt motion to approve/V asked where $ coming from/ Holt said subject to budget approval  Taylor said would like to see $400,000 approval from Secretary, we need to be careful in presenting to public, support initiative, but must be done in order.  Item should be agendaed so can have true discussion.  Taylor agreed with V needs to be agendaed item.  Holt said Hinson said yet to talk with Ms. Berry, said question was if this was emergency, if not, come back in 2 weeks and can move forward. Holt asked when meeting-set up for May 2^nd, board meets next day. V suggested alternative motion, need to remember Board custodian of public money.  Supports it but not for it to come from General Revenue funds.  Consider it for 2016-2017 budget.  Weiss said unless Board determined emergency, best to not take any action tonight. Hinson asked for the record, if passed and gave Sheriff $ would it affect Concord or Midway fire station-no. Taylor said this was for consideration of process, not automatically approved and if money goes where budget shows, will not have her support.  Time for it to be broken out. Morgan asked why vote and not let it come through normal budget process.  Chair said from item, meeting with secretary on 2^nd and wanted to be able to show support from BOCC. Hinson said spoke with guy from Arkansas, finds resources for guys released from jail, need to find way to solve problem Holt said if he did not get support, why would secretary give $400,000 because would not need Board money. Sheriff said understood what they were swaying about investment.  Cost savings there.  Morgan said with what money being saves, why not use that money Holt said jail belongs to county, if lawsuit, county gets sued.  She made motion for approval and there was no second. V said not appropriate for Board, question was why can’t money be part of budget process-was it time sensitive. Why can’t it be said BOCC looking at it for next budget process.  Suggested to table this and bring it back. Morgan stepped out Sean Pittman, Pittman Law Group, appeared before the Board and said not only NY Times endorsed program, others endorsed and Morgan returned. There are re-entry programs legislature has shown and said in Gadsden County this program needed most.  Have not been able to get past governors entity.  This program has received national attention and put Gadsden County on the map.  Wanted to give them idea of what going on across state. V said Pittman had mentioned program in Church in Tallahassee and was what Tallahassee and Leon County decided to do and what they agreed to do was put on budget discussion item for 2016-2017 budget   Recommended that this item should be considered in 2016-2017 budget request proposal Sean Pittman’s aid that program has been funded for several years and now moved to reoccurring budget   Need to start taking steps beyond that program Taylor said Pittman said had made through both House and Senate-never in Governors budget-why vetoed & has it been fixed—Pitman said exact reason not stated-1) new program and never been funded 2) been able to fight way around but not to Governors office V with Pittman’s statements, had opportunity to, heard certain explanations and will be happy to meet with Sheriff and see if can make program competitive enough how to make it compete Sheriff said agreed and why trying to get more professionalized and wanted to be able to have program evaluated by anybody.  Only 21 counties safer than Gadsden now. Holt asked what they wanted Sheriff to present to Secretary on 2^nd.  Need to make statement to secretary Holt asked if commissioners were willing to consider this an emergency so they could take action tonight. Holt moved emergency item/V Morgan, Hinson Taylor opposed 3-2 Motion failed Morgan asked what inappropriate with Sheriff telling Secretary BOCC willing to consider V motion Sheriff tell BOCC willingto consider part of annual budget for 2016-2017 budget/Hinson 5-0
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
15.	Update on Various Board Requests  At next meeting lobbyists will be here to give update. Talked to Sheriff after item was vetoed and offered lobbyist to work with them on item. Meeting next Tuesday with Health Department director to talk about rankings and will get back Trying to set up joint workshops-June 9^th Taylor asked Presnell when put together team of people for health council ranking, someone called and suggested Department of Transportation, may want to invite them .  Complimented Holt on being present on lot of meetings in county.  Deadline to submit student names-asked if they would consider increasing students from 5 to around 10-Hinson felt if a commissioner did not want to, another commissioner could choose.  Taylor said wanted to put out and all she had. Taylor left meeting
COUNTY ATTORNEY
16.	Update on Various Legal Issues  Nothing to report
DISCUSSION ITEMS BY COMMISSIONERS
17.	Report and Discussion of Public Issues
	Commissioner Anthony “Dr. V” Viegbesie, District 2  Holt asked on issue of Preble Rish, application for her area, Gretna applying for grant V made motion/Hinson 5-0  Taylor said concerned done by protocol. V asked fire assessment-do we need to vamp up?    Administrator sent evaluation for Administrator and sample evaluation for County Attorney-have not put into place suggestions of succession workshop and suggested asking FAC for assistance in developing suitable …  for hiring county administrator    so measure how to move the county  Since have mission statement, need to have way to determining way to move toward mission  Asked if needed to make motion  Sufficient for Presnell to make note of request. V motion  /Holt 4-0 Morgan asked if going to be contracting with Vince Long to guide in process? Presnell said what hearing this was to work on evaluation forms Remised if do not compliment effort of GCDC for development made to website
	Commissioner Gene Morgan, District 3  Wanted to expand of GCDC-really done good things and worked in conjunction with Administrator and staff Commended staff and Administrator on ribbon cutting at Rosedale Park and wanted to mention Jenkins put lot of effort in event  Someone mentioned last week Mt. Pleasant fire department, need to address asphalt paving so can get trucks in and out
	Commissioner Sherrie Taylor, District 5
	Commissioner Eric Hinson, Vice Chair, District 1  Hinson asked Board for resolution for Grandmother, Josephine Hinson, passed away /V 4-0 Asked if students were able to work more than one year last year, was able to-will check out. Morgan also wanted to thank Preble Rish for their efforts at park V also expressed regrets for not being there-was in class
	Commissioner Brenda Holt, Chair, District 4  Had couple of requests and asked Administrator if possible for new members on hospital board to go to workshop.  Said would put before Board-Presnell asked that they call him.  V said something need to consider next budget having them attend conferences Holt said when new board members come on, give them acronyms so know what’s what. Proclamation for Herbert McCloud, former deputy/V 4-0 Gadsden Veterans Association-having festival May 21^st from 2-8 V asked that Administrator send reminder Graham asked info be sent to her also.
Receipt and File
18.	a.  Letter from DEO b. Voluntary Annexation Letter c. SBSC Quarterly Report
UPCOMING MEETINGS
16.	May 3, 2016-Regular Meeting at 6:00 p.m. May 17, 2016-Regular Meeting May 26, 2016-First Budget Workshop-4:00 p.m.
MOTION TO ADJOURN  Adjourned 8:55