Board of County Commissioners

Gadsden County, Florida

Regular Public Meeting

January 17, 2017

6:00 p.m.

Present: Sherrie Taylor, Chair, District 5

Eric Hinson, Vice Chair, District 1

Dr. Anthony “Dr. V” Viegbesie, District 2

Gene Morgan, District 3

Brenda Holt, District 4

Nicholas Thomas, Clerk of Court

Robert Presnell, County Administrator

David Weiss, County Attorney

Marcella Blocker, Deputy Clerk

INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Called meeting to order at 6:00 p.m., asked everyone to

AMENDMENTS AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA

1 amendment-approval of proclamation presenting tonight 6A

Hinson/V

5-0

AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND APPEARANCES

Proclamation Honoring Mrs. Rosa Lee McGriff

Hinson had few words to say

Chair Taylor asked the Commissioners to join her in front and then read aloud the Proclamation and presented it to Mrs. McGriff.

GCDC Update

Mr. Presnell said the GCDC was present to give an update.

Jim McShane appeared before the Board and gave an update.

Beth Kirkland appeared before the Board to speak about their current activity-Freight Logistics Zone-purpose to identify a zone and supporting infrastructure that serves a strategic interest in the region and the state,

Small Business Technical Assistance-

Working with daycare on resurfacing parking lot

Community redevelopment of parcel in Chattahoochee

Construction contractor seeking to move from leasing equipment to purchasing equipment

Save the Date-Four Star Freightliner Ground Breaking on January 24, 2017 1:00 p.m. at site location on Brickyard Road

Antonio Jefferson appeared before the board to expand on the community development. Seeing more request from people with small shops that need to do things such as paving parking lots, etc.

They want to be consistent throughout the entire county and will require lot of legwork

Space Coast has SNAP program-

County fortunate enough to be doing permitting for most of county

need to strengthen relationship with school board

Having Board retreat February 10, 2017 at TCC Quincy Center

Doing retreat at Golding Triangle in Louisiana

Chair Taylor asked if they wanted to ask questions or wait to hear from the Chamber first

Holt asked questions

Beautification-has seen where trees going in with solar lights-has seen in Sneads and Marianna

SNAP Project-at FAC-some things companies paying for studies

Freightliner project stalled little bit but now back on track

V said his more of commendation than question and convinced GCDC going in right direction and glad to know they going to other communities to see what they done and commended approach they taking-warned to look at how and why

Chamber Update

Rob Nixon appeared before the Board on behalf of David Gardner.

Small Business Services program services any citizen of County with business or business idea.-do not have to be Chamber members

Serve through:

Training

Counseling

Technical Assistance

Networking

Information Clearinghouse

Purpose: to promote creation and growth of small businesses in County

Mission: to facilitate business starts and expansion through education, counseling and hands-on assistance to prospective entrepreneurs and business owners

Small Businesses Services-

V commended Mr. Nixon for job well-done; asked if Chamber explicit in

Chamber taken role of being facilitator and voice

Holt asked Nixon if he said Small Business funded at $40,000-no-80% goes into services-does not go directly into hands of small business

Holt said more economical to hire him instead of leaving him with Chamber

Have policies and are contradictory to growth

Don’t want GCDC bogged down in small business-need 2 different groups to be accountable

Hinson said he calls Nixon a lot-when he gets calls-he in turn calls him

V asked how events he provides are brought to attention of citizens so they know what going on-continue to use local periodicals, flyers,-V asked about churches-yes

Hinson said knew Holt brought up-Small Business Development Center-think need to entertain how to be aggressive

Taylor said had listened to both campaigns-coming off campaign trail-hear what people need-jobs-looking at 2 arms putting together economic business development within county government-what stronger avenue than have in department

Hinson said talked at retreat last year about Broadband-no-one mentioned tonight & poor in some areas

CLERK OF COURTS

Mr. Thomas was present and said he forwarded an email from Finance Director regarding SHIP program-BOCC approved it at November meeting and name approved on list did not appear to match name on agenda request and paperwork submitted. Middle name and maiden name used-question about signature where another county staffer signed instead of individual-

Have fiduciary responsibility to report it, has been reported to auditors, and Florida Housing who is over SHIP program-cautioned them it could cause County to lose grant money.

V thanked him for bringing it up and had questions and echoed what he said about anything and thinks before it gets placed on agenda for approval it is looked at to ensure no impropriety and make sure no chance of losing grant money-He asked attorney to make sure

Holt asked for response from Manager-became aware because maiden name different from married name-finance director had concerns-emailed her back-had SHIP bring everything-has been changes made-now any approval will come through County Manager’s office

Hinson said curious-asked if this was new home-no-BOCC approved $44,000 rehab on home-agenda packet had middle and maiden name not current married name-staff falsified putting name BOCC not familiar with-thanked him for doing his job and bringing it up-now what is ramification of what happened

Taylor said understand his point of concern-get with administration

Hinson thanked him for his thorough investigation into this matter

DISCUSSION ITEMS BY COMMISSIONERS

Report and Discussion of Public Issues

Commissioner Brenda A. Holt, District 4

Holt said to Hinson she understood where he coming from-they need to do better together

Asked if they got anything on Christmas lights and she concerned with beautification for County

Commissioner Anthony “Dr. V” Viegbesie, District 2

V regarding earlier comments-meeting about Gadsden County Historical –collecting history of County-glad to see presentation today to 100 year old lady-We need to have way of recording things she knows of what Gadsden County was

Went to Havana and they have embarked on same-Havana History and Heritage Center Suggested County work with them to start real

Commended Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office for recognition from Mission for its exemplary re-entry program and

2 letters with regard to FDOT projects-State Road 10-(US 90) at Flying J

Read into record

Commissioner Eric Hinson, Vice Chair, District 1

Thanked Board-awesome Board-only gets stressed out about kids and seniors

Mentioned Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.-he promoted everybody

Commissioner Gene Morgan, District 3

Presented Holt information regarding road paving in her district

Commissioner Sherrie D. Taylor, Chair, District 5

Taylor asked their approval-wants to start sending resolutions to funerals-see it done by other boards-can’t be everywhere but can send resolutions

V said glad mentioned because procedure was changed and thinks wonderful idea and supported it

Hinson said have another person wants recognized-Mother Ida P. Simmons-will also be 100 years old

Hinson/Holt 5-0

V motion for resolution be sent to funeral home of any citizen of county without having to come to meeting for approval/Holt

Morgan asked how Board would be notified in case they were approached by family members

Chair called for vote 5-0

Meeting with municipalities-set up yet? Some-school board-not yet

Strong Road-timeline

Times when will host events in communities & wanted to have refreshments-asked if could be standing rule can host gatherings with refreshments-not asking for vote tonight

CONSENT

Morgan/Holt 5-0

Approval of Minutes

a. May 26, 2016-Budget Workshop

b. November 15, 2016-Regular Meeting

Ratification to Pay County Bills

ITEMS PULLED FOR DISCUSSION

CITIZENS REQUESTING TO BE HEARD ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS

PUBLIC HEARINGS

PUBLIC HEARING-Adoption of Ordinance No. 2016-022, an Ordinance of the Board of County Commissioners of Gadsden County, Florida, creating the Gadsden County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, providing for repeal, severability, inclusion in the Gadsden County Code of Ordinances, modifications that may arise from consideration at public hearing and correction of scrivener’s errors, and providing for an effective date; and adoption of Bylaws for the Gadsden County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

Mr. Presnell introduced above item

Taylor asked refresher why tabled-Hinson not have information in packet

Hinson

Morgan stepped out

Hinson asked how would person know about where park needed to go in area-lots of potential in area that can be used

Taylor said point well taken-asked if anyone in audience that wished to speak-no

V said he heard and understood Hinson’s concern but creation of Authority was like any advisory board-membership appointed by commissioners and they are advisory body. His intent was to create a Park and Recreation Advisory Board and would help this board to explore funding sources for recreation

Only concern with way written-suggested each member of Board recommend person to have vested interest and involvement in sports and recreation and not see it in by-laws and suggested it be included

V motion approve adoption of attached ordinance 2016-022 and attached by-laws with addition of criteria and authorize chair to sign-no second-died for lack of second

Hinson said not against-great idea-just need to condense

Holt said he would have say-so from his district

V said he did not recollect making any type of statement-went on record said did not recall opposing community center because need to be conservative

Morgan said knows different points of view – why don’t approve for period of time-say 1 year and move forward

Taylor sked for motion

Morgan – question to attorney-can they make those changes without tabling and bringing back-can do sunset provision

V motion to approve ordinance 2016-022 and by-laws for period of 1 year with addition of language/Morgan

Hinson question-Courtney does not live in County anymore-Hinson said he will show him on record where he said that

Chair called for vote-5-0

GENERAL BUSINESS

Howell Road Widening and Resurfacing-Professional Services

Holt/Morgan 5-0

Approval to Extend the Current Lease Agreement with USDA for the FSA Service Office

V/Morgan 5-0

10.

Approval to Extend the Current Lease Agreements with Jones Community Health Center to Lease the Chattahoochee Health Clinic and Dental Equipment

Morgan moved approval but bring attention to Board are issues and can be remedied/V 5-0

11.

Approval of Resolution 2017-001 to Amend Specified Fees Established for Planning Processes Collected by the Planning Division

Mr.

V/Holt

Taylor question-increasing? No-code changes approved recently-no increases

Morgan asked how initiated-Jill brought to his attention

Chair called for vote – 5-0

12.

Approval to the State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) Annual Report

Holt/V 5-0

13.

Approval and Signature(s) for Satisfaction of Special Assessment Lien SHIP Program

Holt/V 5-0

14.

Review and Approval of the Amended 2017 Legislative Priorities

Mr. Presnell introduced above item for approval of amended list

Taylor asked who would handle money

Holt asked if grants to Sheriff’s Office administered by Sheriff-no most handled through board

V said fortunate to have lobbyist here-let him tell how would impact

Chris Doolin appeared along with Al Lawson, III, lobbyists for County-think would more than likely have conversation on how would request and support item-has to have separate appropriation bill

Taylor asked what want to do

Hinson motion to approve/Holt

V said no need for memorandum about to add $250,000 to legislative agenda

Chair called for vote 5-0

15.

Selection of Legal Services for Gadsden County BOCC

Taylor said took time at last meeting and need to be specific tonight-hear from each commissioner

V said could make motion then have discussion

Taylor said at last meeting did not have opportunity to say anything

Taylor said opinion will do well with either counsel-both served as county attorney before-heard if not broke then why fix it-had concerns with current attorney-can’t seem to get things out in timely manner-know history of both-huge bill saw-was litigation that raised budget then sued federal government-want to see county progress-concerns her to change horses now but whatever happens can live with it-not of mindset things will fall from sky-Taylor said something Hinson said about attorney being engulfed in so many other entities-school board-could be connection we could value and saw as plus not negative-Williams was respectable and very protective-

Hinson never been on Board with Williams but never had problem with current firm but concerned with potential conflicts with other group working with but if situation comes up with school board, how would it be handled, or with Talquin, CSX?

V said since having conversation- made quote from Malcolm X ”…” Looked at packets, been on commission two years-gone through before with both law firms coming before them

Moved accept contract from Williams law firm-vote up or down/Holt second

V-yes

Hinson-No

Taylor No

Holt yes

Morgan no

Vote failed 3-2

Morgan Ausley law firm/Hinson second with question-don’t like commissioner to have reservations-thinks 2 great attorneys-only reservation-Holt said conflict big issue-need to look at again but majority rules-V said before carry vote-want to say upon interview and conversation with 2 firms-1 thing impacted him was potential for conflict of interest-who would pay difference if conflict occurs

Taylor said valid complaint-if Ausley approved tonight-must be language if revenues exhausted but be negotiated out-can enter into negotiations with either attorney choose to go with

Hinson said curious of couple years ago was at $130,000 and how much overage-have gone up but not exceeded

Holt said why negotiate-put in contract and vote on it-

Holt don’t see need to go through

Motion to approve 1 year and negotiate terms of contract

V-no

Hinson-yes

Taylor-yes

Holt-no

Morgan-yes

David

COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR

16.

Update on Various Board Requests

Need legal opinion

Hinson-need planning commission appointment-will give tomorrow

Clerk put out-if bothers him bothers Presnell-if want attorney to look into whole SHIP application

V asked Presnell if have any arrangement in place for garbage pick-up and disposal if community decides to pick-up trash along road-have bags and bags of trash-yes-let him know and will accommodate

Dr. Hart’s services in Gadsden County-timeline of her starting using approved contract-can get started last Saturday

V asked for motion for resolution for Quintessential for ????? having annual conference in Quincy and would like/Holt 5-0

Holt said when discussing housing issue-correct-been in situations and whatever you say-first thing will do is pull tape-if say anything

personal opinion clerk should have taken care of with Administrator-certain things don’t take care of in front of camera

V stepped out

Clerk needs to work with Manager not in open meeting

Taylor said update on health panel-need it to be agendaed in March and keep in front of them

Update on Senior Citizens-could not go

serious with regards to attorney contract-serious with quicker turn-around from him

Hinson asked about Big Bend Transit-have had suggestions in community-can see if can get bus moving earlier-leaves at 8:00-see if can have stop at 10/90 park-Holt asked in county route or outside-both

Hinson was at lady’s house in Midway-had bears there-thanked Presnell for taking care of it

Problem with Waste Pro not coming onto privately maintained roads to pick up trash

COUNTY ATTORNEY

17.

Update on Various Legal Issues

Thanked Board for allowing him to continue representing

Receipt and File

18.

Emergency Management Quarterly Report

19.

Letter from FDOT

20.

Letter from FDOT

UPCOMING MEETINGS

21.

January 3, 2017-Regular Meeting – 6:00 p.m.

MOTION TO ADJOURN

Adjourned 9:43 p.m.