Board of County Commissioners
Gadsden County, Florida
Regular Public Meeting
June 7, 2016
6:00 p.m.
Present: Brenda A. Holt, Chair, District 4
Eric Hinson, Vice Chair, District 1-arrived late
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 called meeting to order at 6:00 p.m., asked for moment of silence and led in Pledge of Allegiance.
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AMENDMENTS AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA Pull Item 10 Morgan/V 3-0
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AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND APPEARANCES
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1. |
Recognition of Mr. Darryl Figgers Chair Holt read aloud the Special Recognition where he assisted a citizen from a burning vehicle in Midway.
Commissioner Hinson arrived at this juncture of the meeting.
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2. |
Gadsden County Chamber of Commerce Update Mr. Presnell introduced David Gardner for a Chamber of Commerce update.
David Gardner appeared before the Board and gave a brief update regarding the Gadsden County Chamber of Commerce.
Commissioner Taylor arrived at this juncture of the meeting.
Jimmie Griffin appeared before the board and told the Board about their business, an event planning service.
Mr. Rick Jones appeared before the Board and told the Board about his transportation services he was now offering and handed out literature.
Rick Soskis, Snakebite Publishing, appeared before the Board and told of his business and passed out literature.
Mr. Gardner said they were going forward with the Go Gadsden, Grow Gadsden and ribbon-cuttings.
Ms. Jenkins, Minority Business Advisory Committee, appeared before the Board and spoke a few words.
Pastor Tyrone Smith, Community Advisory Committee, appeared before the Board and spoke a few words.
Holt said spoke with Gardner earlier regarding a five year plan.
Dr V said with regards with what he felt Chamber should be doing, and asked why presentation not made available to Commissioners-will be forwarded to them.
Chair Holt said Chunky Sunday was economic engine and trying to get people to come to the County.
Commissioner Taylor echoed sentiments earlier and with regards to event in Midway,
Morgan stepped out.
Economic development important but if health or safety concern, needed to adequately protect people living in area that they have ingress/egress to their homes.
Morgan returned
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3. |
Presentation on Year 2 Grant Deliverables for the Competitive Florida Partnership Program Mr. Presnell introduced above item-required presentation.
Ray Leotta, Principal of LEO, LLC, appeared before the Board and was here to report results of Phase 2 for sites to be identified. Trying to increase economic development competitiveness through strengthening the quality of raw land site inventories.
Chair Holt said County was putting money into GCDC to make sites available for businesses to come to the area.
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CLERK OF COURTS Nothing to report
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CONSENT Morgan/Hinson 5-0
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4. |
Ratification to Pay County Bills
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5. |
Approval of Minutes a. April 19, 2016-Sign Ordinance Workshop b. May 3, 2016-Regular Meeting
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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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Erice Shepard, 758 Concord-Bainbridge Road-fracking-appeared before the Board and said she was against fracking.
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Amy Datz, 1130 Crestview Avenue, Tallahassee, FL- against fracking-appeared before the Board.
Mr. Weiss said he recalled the Board passed a Resolution to ban state-wide fracking.
Ms. Datz had the Clerk to pass out literature that had a template Ordinance to ban fracking and asked that the Ordinance be addressed and passed.
Commissioner Taylor stepped out at this juncture of the meeting.
Holt said the Board could not vote on this matter this evening but they could bring it up under their comments.
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Rosette Rolle Hylton-Anderson appeared before the Board regarding an event going on at the Courthouse this past Saturday and had been told in other counties a candidate running for public office could not use the County Courthouse for political events.
Chair Holt said she would allow the Manager to address the issue. He said there was a permit form and they had to apply and only prohibits signs being erected on the grounds.
Commissioner Taylor returned.
Holt said event listed on application it did not match the event held on Square.
Dr. V said same applies to Leon County and something this Board needed to look into.
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Bill Sagues, 220 Crepe Myrtle Lane, Monticello, FL-fracking-spoke regarding a ban on fracking.
Commissioner Hinson stepped out at this juncture.
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Herb Shelton, Jr. 2115 Longview Drive, Tallahassee, FL-Fracking-spoke regarding a ban on fracking
Hinson returned at this juncture.
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PUBLIC HEARINGS
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6. |
PUBLIC HEARING-(Legislative) Consideration of Adoption of Ordinance 2016-008 for an Amendment to Chapter 5 (Development Standards), Section 5100 (Residential Standards), Subsection 5106 (Supplemental Standards for Manufactured Housing) of the Gadsden County Land Development Code Mr. Presnell introduced above item.
Chair Holt announced this was a public hearing and said there was a ban on bringing in mobile homes over ten years of age.
Commissioner Morgan said had heartache regarding change because eliminating and asked if it would reduce property values for surrounding property owners.
Dr. V asked if it had to meet code enforcement standards before being allowed to be brought into the County.
Clyde Collins appeared before the Board and said when did have application over ten years of age, they inspect to check wiring, safety issues. Any house prior to 1978 had aluminum wiring and could not be moved.
Mr. Weiss said had to be compliant to Florida Building Code.
Morgan asked liability to County is not enforcing-no more than not enforcing
Chair Holt again announced public hearing-no comments.
Dr. V asked if they had the same situation with single family homes where they had to meet certain occupancy standards.
Taylor/V 4-1 Morgan opposed.
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GENERAL BUSINESS
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7. |
Approval of Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) Rural Infrastructure Fund Grant Mr. Presnell introduced above item. V/Morgan 5-0
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8. |
County Administrator’s Contract Mr. Presnell introduced above item.
Hinson said last year had contract with Preble-Rish and he voted for them, then had process with County Attorney, have 5 months on contract and when ends, extend month to month.
Dr. V said his position had nothing to do with current administrator but position county for strategic human resource – not rush into contract renewal since still have 5 months on current contract, but need succession plan in place.
Morgan said most important thing do as board was to ensure effective leadership at top with County Manager, outside that set policy. In order to properly plan transition top 2 positions, have to ensure stability, public confident with leadership, have opportunity to do this right way and best way is to talk with existing Administrator and see how long willing to stay on. Important to do things right way and was restating what they were advised. Encouraged them to offer him 2 year agreement if he willing to stay that long, bring on someone to take Assistant Administrator position.
Taylor echoed same sentiments that Presnell done excellent job. She views accomplishments and where they were when he came into job. Since he started, have qualified audits thanks to Clerk and him, roads being paved, agreed succession plan should be put into place and such a plan it be vetted well
Morgan stepped out at this juncture of the meeting.
Taylor said she would like him to continue as long as he would like to. Willing to go 2 years, but he might be willing to go 3.
Morgan returned.
Her position was to put succession plan in place and treat him with respect. Asked they move with integrity and respect, be courteous and respectful.
Dr. V said he had never said current administrator has not done good job, wants succession plan in place for smooth transition when time came for change. Still have 5 months before contract ends and asked to have plan in place
Hinson motioned continue contract as is/V asked if could make amendment-Adoption of option 3 to give Board direction with what to do-V made second- 3-1 Morgan opposed-Taylor not voted –Taylor asked if contract continued-Asked Hinson for clarification-Hinson said going through process
Weiss asked to clarify-no action taken on contract and can be revisited at later date. Contract still intact.
Taylor said already have in place tool to evaluate manager and for record her vote reflects no.
Holt said they had fired people by making motion and vote.
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9. |
Public Official Bond Mr. Presnell introduced above item
Morgan/V 5-0
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Item pulled from Agenda.
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11. |
Approval to Renew the Standard Maintenance Contract with Emerson Network Power, Liebert Services, Inc. to Service and Maintain the Battery Module (NBATIMOD) in the 911 Dispatch Office at the Gadsden County Sheriff Department Mr. Presnell introduced above item.
V option 1/Morgan asked Hinson second 5-0
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12. |
Approval of the Lease Agreement for the William M. Inman Agriculture Center Mr. Presnell introduced above item.
Morgan had questions.
Dr. V stepped out
Morgan option 1/Hinson 4-0
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13. |
Ratification of Ring Power Invoice #02WC2108790 Mr. Presnell introduced
Morgan/Taylor 4-0
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14. |
Ratification of Ring Power Invoice #02WC2108791 Mr. Presnell introduced above item
Morgan option 1/Taylor 4-0
V returned
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COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
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15. |
Update on Various Board Requests Nothing |
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COUNTY ATTORNEY
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16. |
Update on Various Legal Issues Gretna Racing hearing this morning-did great job, judges asked tough questions, feels will be split decision and will take a while.
Holt said was there today and judges asked pointed questions and needed to look as powers of County that was brought up.
Weiss said county’s involvement limited to ability that passed referendum.
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DISCUSSION ITEMS BY COMMISSIONERS
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17. |
Report and Discussion of Public Issues
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Commissioner Anthony “Dr. V” Viegbesie, District 2 Succession Plan-suggested Administrator expedite retreat to work on succession plan
Organization that provided health services to County-requested agencies that are using demographics receiving funding give account to board as to how using health services that are provided to citizens
Asked if health department had intern department with FSU-not sure
Asked who responsible for picking up discarded furniture, appliances left on side of road-in unincorporated areas-1 pick-up every year-discarded items on side of road
Asked how far gone with mural image-had to be re-bid multiple times and coming on next agenda
She asked Pastor Morris (filled out Speaker Request Form)-said Dr. V brought up succession plan and who in charge for putting bid out. Said impressed with County Commission
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Commissioner Gene Morgan, District 3
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Commissioner Sherrie Taylor, District 5 Said to Manager. Been questions come up with regard to Citizen Bill of Rights-components interested in putting in different language and asked to have item agendaed to discuss
Made motion/Hinson made second-coming in 2 weeks-motion not needed.
Morgan asked for clarity
Wanted to make sure share-had someone call about mosquitos-getting immediate response
Said are time mindful around dais. But human respect-has to listen to her share her comments and expects same respect
Morgan left meeting.
Taylor said tries not to be redundant and stay on target-asked for same respect and said would be mindful of time
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Commissioner Eric Hinson, Vice Chair, District 1 Echoed majority of what Taylor said
Thanked BOCC for being good stewards
Craig Clary, 1004 Brumby Street, Quincy, FL-addressed the Board concerning government and religion and separation of same.
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Commissioner Brenda Holt, Chair, District 4 Holt asked if Commissioners wanted fracking issue brought back-V felt since passed resolution in opposition of fracking-agenda
Weiss said happy to do what Board wanted
Holt felt have Manager look at it and what other counties doing-bring back at later time/V 4-0
Events at Courthouse-would like no political activities
Taylor left meeting.
No political activities on County property
Hinson said all about fairness-maybe should wait until after election
Holt said event permitted was not what was listed on application
Presnell said statute could be rented for political events as long as public employees Statutes is 106.15 and has to do with contributions
Mr. Williams, 1029 Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd., Quincy, FL appeared before the Board-manager didn’t bring issue to Board regarding permit for event at Courthouse
V moved to agenda item in future meeting and address issue immediately/Hinson second
Holt said could solve problem tonight-have 2 week window where something could be scheduled
Holt suggested to take vote for it to be agendaed
V withdrew motion and second withdrawn.
V motion no political action conducted on government property be added to guidelines tonight and agendaed for future review/Hinson 3-0
Holt said will ask for public roll call at beginning and end of meeting-V said not part of policies and procedure-said would conduct herself if need to
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Receipt and File
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18. |
a. Letter from the Town of Havana b. Letter from the City of Gretna c. FY 16 Non-Profit/Human Services Funding Agreement Quarterly Report
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UPCOMING MEETINGS
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16. |
June 9, 2016-BOCC/Town of Greensboro Joint Workshop-6:00 p.m. June 16, 2016-BOCC/City of Midway Joint Workshop-6:00 p.m. June 21, 2016-Regular Meeting-6:00 p.m.
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MOTION TO ADJOURN Adjourned 9:18 p.m. |
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