Board of County Commissioners

Gadsden County, Florida

Regular Public Meeting

August 2, 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 Holt called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m., asked for moment of silence, led in Pledge to US Flag.
AMENDMENTS AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA No amendments Hinson/Chair Holt 4-0
AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND APPEARANCES
CLERK OF COURTS  Clerk asked for a few minutes and spoke about intergovernmental relations State shares revenues with County, different with Clerk, 2009 Legislature raided bunch trust funds, eventually had to pay most back because law required, but seized revenue of Clerk, declared it as State revenue and put Clerk in State budget, slashed budgets-in 2009 cut $225,000 during course of fiscal year and had to lay-off 4 people, later took out of State budget and now ultimately approved by LDC (Legislative Budget Commission), last year was cut $96,000, additional $55,000 this fiscal year, 2 people retired never replaced, laid off 2 yesterday and down 8 people since 2009, budget roughly $375,000 short, roughly little over $2 Million that would have gone to payroll in Gadsden.  We go to legislature every year and will be back V stepped in at this juncture. Have great people, they will continue to work hard; with intergovernmental relations its government working together-Clerk sends mental health records, criminal convictions to FDLE, so they can do state-wide background checks on gun purchases. Clerk sends commitment papers to Department of Corrections, sends DUI info to DHSMV, sends information to Department of Vital Statistics & collects $, doc stamps tax and sends to DOR and lots of other $ that we collect about $435,000 out of civil fines and fees paid by citizens of Gadsden County that does to State general revenue that they use for what they want, another $630,000 goes to 45 various state trust funds.  A lot of State agencies that could not do their work without the Clerk, not to mention the judiciary, Judges, SAO, Public Defender, Probation and Parole, but none of them cut.  Matter of having a legislature that understands the important role of the Clerk.  Cut mentioned, our cut was $55,000 but State wide was $25 Million. If this was regular State employees, Tallahassee Democrat would be jumping up and down.  We will continue to pursue agenda with legislature, will see how lawsuit goes, but felt important people know that Clerk’s office will continue to work efficiently; have very dedicated people, no raise since 2008, some of your people have received raises several times, so appreciate Clerk staff, even though the Legislature don’t seem to, even Governor made disparaging statements regarding efficiency.  Late 90’s, federal government passed Welfare Reform Act, they said every state had to create central child support disbursement unit and Florida Clerks created it, once developed, gave to DOR, they subcontracted out.  Clerks created state-wide database CCIS that allowed Judges, law enforcement to look at court records, Clerks developed current E-filing.  Many clerks in process making certain records available on-line for public to view. Wanted to publicly thank his staff for their efforts.  Made budget request to you separate from what talked about tonight. Holt asked why Clerks Assn not using media to their advantage in lawsuit-Mr. Thomas said some decided not to join lawsuit and several reasons why-concerned about constitutional revisions, legislative retributions, was promised last session this issue would be resolved, had great support in Senate no house support with effort; basically only got $ for juries and was caveat to that-not enough $-will continue on multiple fronts to pursue resolution.  Holt said their Assn put lobbyist out, used  media, Clerks of Court different-want to do their job and not be in Tallahassee
CONSENT  Morgan/Taylor 5-0
1.	Ratification to Pay County Bills
2.	Approval of Minutes a. June 9, 2016-Joint Workshop b. July 5, 2016-Regular Meeting
ITEMS PULLED FOR DISCUSSION
CITIZENS REQUESTING TO BE HEARD ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
PUBLIC HEARINGS
3.	PUBLIC HEARING-(Legislative) Consideration of Adoption of Ordinance 2016-013 for a Text Amendment to Allow Solar Power Generation Facilities (Solar Farms) (LPS-2016-002)  Mr. Presnell introduced above item Holt asked about transmission lines and solar panels Presnell said solar only allowed in Ag 2 & 3 Chair said public hearing and asked if anyone wished to speak-no-one. Taylor asked if any fallout, damages, effects from panels-Presnell said only thing he heard was about reflectivity and glare Taylor/Morgan 5-0
4.	Public Hearing-Approval to Refinance the 2016 Hospital Loan and the 2006B Library Loan  Mr. Presnell introduced above item.   Mr. Gollahon appeared before the Board and explained the loans before them. Taylor asked if signed off tonight are there other options if rate lowers-yes Taylor stepped out Hinson said maybe could start having workshops because have questions Morgan said Taylor may have alluded to this earlier JoLinda Herring Taylor returned JoLinda said needed to be addressed separately with 2 votes Taylor/V approval for hospital Chair asked if anyone wished to speak-no Taylor move approval for hospital/Hinson Morgan had questions-hoped Board pursue if additional savings 5-0 Taylor approval to refinance revenue bond for library/V Morgan same remarks as earlier 5-0
GENERAL BUSINESS
5.	2016 Paving Project Phase II-Change Order #2  Mr. Presnell introduced above item V had comments Taylor stepped out Taylor returned Presnell explained Morgan asked if price per ton same-yes Hinson/Morgan 5-0
6.	Approval to Apply for the State Funded Emergency Management Preparedness and Assistance Grant 17-BG-83-02-30-01-026 and the Federal Funded Emergency Management Performance Grant 17-FG-02-03-01-093  V/Morgan Taylor said understood info about Emergency Management might want to do more with sending information  out Tashonda Whaley, Emergency Management, Sheriff’s Office appeared before the Board Taylor said form may need to be enhanced Chair called for vote 5-0
7.	Consideration of Resolution 2016-017 to Adopt the Highway 90 Corridor Plan   Mr. Presnell introduced above item V/Morgan Holt said if wanted stops on Highway 90 they have to bring info forward 5-0
8.	Approval of Health Insurance Rates/Options   Mr. Presnell introduced above item Taylor asked what he budgeted for this year-8.5 Taylor/V Morgan said heard in workshop need to cut budget and recommended alternate option be selected Holt said recommended option 1 Chair called for vote 4-1 Morgan opposed
9.	Approval of the Services Contract with Deer Oaks EAP  Mr. Presnell introduced item Lonyell Black appeared before the Board-previous contractor no longer in business V said looking at tabulation form V/Hinson 5-0
10.	Selection and Appointment of a Member to the Gadsden County Tourist Development Council  Mr. Presnell introduced above item Clarence Jackson resigned V  approval Holton/Chair second Morgan had questions Chair called vote 3-2 Taylor, Hinson opposed
11.	Approval of Resolution 2016-016 Piggybacking the Leon County Agreement for Bond Counsel  Mr. Presnell introduced item Taylor move approval/Hinson 5-0
12.	Approval of the County Administrator’s Position Description  Mr. Presnell introduced item V said some suggestions wondered if could insert objectives or missions of county include health, safety, welfare and wanted to add performance evaluation Taylor asked if stipulation of residency-State statute requires Morgan said important to remember job description and recommended adding some sort of proficiency in computer skills V moved adoption of this item with suggested changes/Morgan second with question-would like to see brought back with changes motion withdrawn/second withdrawn Morgan recommended Taylor said with quantitative system, will have there v/taylor table 5-0
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
13.	Update on Various Board Requests  Bike event 8/22 New appointment to Area on Aging funding available for utility bills Budget workshop 8/16 Friday night having banquet for summer youth workers At retreat identified 7 items agreed upon-1 still outstanding was marketing plan for county-workshop? Taylor said with regards to school board, maybe reach out in form of letter
COUNTY ATTORNEY
14.	Update on Various Legal Issues  V asked if knew where stood with closing of property for Dogtown fire station-does not know and David did not inform
DISCUSSION ITEMS BY COMMISSIONERS
15.	Report and Discussion of Public Issues
	Commissioner Gene Morgan, District 3  Reflected on Clerk’s comments and need to seriously look at finding dollars and would prioritize as need and not want-think healthcare request would have funded-urged them to look at it
	Commissioner Sherrie Taylor, District 5  Taylor said understood had meeting with Senior Services  said they adopted the by-laws and services and participation decreasing-Board not generating revenues and need to let them know we expect compliance-asked if could give direction want them to comply with by-laws Holt asked if could get copy of complaints-Manager can get V asked if bylaws that govern board members-=yes
	Commissioner Anthony “Dr. V” Viegbesie, District 2 V asked where stood on speed bump for Charlie Harris loop – Presnell aid machine there to calculate speed of vehicle Saw had sign on door-could have sign bigger so people know door to enter If GCDC knew if E3B program Requested list of all bridges in county, age, sufficiency rating and structural rating to take to CRPTA to prioritize project Requested they take action on Dr. Cooksey’s proposal for endocrinology services Was glad to hear Taylor mention parks and recreation-would like to see in future whole scale park and facility Motion for resolution for Ben Brown that passed away last Saturday to be presented to the family/Hinson 5-0
	Commissioner Eric Hinson, Vice Chair, District 1  Hinson said glad to see change of heart and mind for community center and thanked V Made motion to give to Mary Brock Thanked BOCC for approving some roads in district and need to get work out for private public roads Brickyard road-daughter’s best friend lives there and road in terrible shape and needs lights-how quickly could that be done  can look into options and get costs
	Commissioner Brenda Holt, Chair, District 4  Health committees workshop Was any program for employees for upward mobility? Mapping program for grant writing Presnell said would send out mowing schedule Gulf County said received $65,000 logistics grants Need to look at Safety program-pennies on $ to get licenses back
Receipt and File
16.	a.  Florida Department of Health-Gadsden Quarterly Progress Report for ½ Cent Sale Tax Prevention and Education Program
UPCOMING MEETINGS
16.	August 16, 2016-Regular Meeting at 6:00 p.m.
MOTION TO ADJOURN  Adjourned 7:58