Gadsden County Legislative Delegation Meeting

Edward J. Butler Governmental Complex

9 East Jefferson Street, Quincy, Florida

Monday, February 20, 2017

6:00 PM

AGENDA & NOTES

Present:  Chair Sherry Taylor, Dr. Viegbesie, Brenda Holt, Eric Hinson

I. Call to Order – Senator Bill Montford, Delegation Chairman

II. Pledge of Allegiance

III. Welcome and Introduction of Delegation Members and Staff

§ Senator Bill Montford – District 3 – Introductions, Congrats Chair Taylor, Marilyn Barnes, Melissa Durham  and Debra Fairhurst representing Congressman Al Lawson,

§ Representative Ramon Alexander – District 8 – Introductions, Carlicia Williams, Kenneth Thomas, Hunter McFarland and Adrian Matthews

IV. Announcements

A. The 2017 Legislative Session begins Tuesday, March 7, 2017

B. Citizens who wish to address the delegation are requested to fill out an appearance card

Chair Taylor welcome   Welcomed all the Commissioners (Midway water, road projects, Sheriff Department (Reentry Program), School District (reconfiguration – funding to build magnet school)

V. Public Testimony

Carolyn Ford advocating for children

 Rick Soukis – education uniqueness of County (teachers – teacher salaries (higher wages: place cap on FL lottery winning cap)

 Joy Anderson – Gadsden Healthy Start Coalition (at risk pregnant women and babies). Asked for their continuing support with infant mortalities.

 Deborah Fairhurst – Congress Al Lawson (welcomed – Renaissance Center in Tallahassee his office

 Ed Dixon – Sheriff Young request (for Reentry Program) Faith Based Initiative  (Pilot program)

 Lee Wagner – CEO Boys and Girls Club of the Big Bend (asked for support)

 Antonio Jefferson – Education (Grading Scale Amendment- revise grading scale)

 Teanlia Jefferies – Delta Sigma Theta – Social Action Services Initiatives voting registration, affordable healthcare, historical black colleges, gender equality. Please keep us inform to help you. March 19, 2017 Delta Days.  

Ed Feaver   Healthy Start Coalition (Support Early Childhood Education)

 Marilyn Feaver – Environment & School Choice; Water Issues in Midway – concerned with quality of water

 Beth Kirkland (Gadsden County Development Council) – Freight Logistics Zone (Gadsden, Liberty, Gulf and Franklin Counties – purpose is to  identify the zone and supporting infrastructure that serves a strategic interest in the region and the state. Collect and analyze freight activity data and needed infrastructure. Trying to utilize the I-10 corridor. (Brenda Holt spoke to the importance of this) Alexander asked about Workforce Development. Kirkland – 4 areas to focus on manufactory, distribution, tourism and retail ($400,000)  Montford reasons you can’t be successful in the rural counties, you need to show you need help.  Good examples of what you could have done, to make us competitive.

Lee Garner, City of Manager of Chattahoochee, submitted request of funding from the City of Chattahoochee. We need funding for Visit Florida, Enterprise Florida. Resolution earmarking BP money. HB17 taking things away from Cities.

VI. Elected Official’s

A. County Commission Chairperson Sherrie Taylor & County Commissioners

B. Constitutional Officers:

1. Sheriff – Morris Young

2. Clerk of Court – Nicholas Thomas

3. Tax Collector – W. Dale Summerford

4. Property Appraiser – Reginald A. Cunningham

5. Supervisor of Elections – Shirley Green Knight

6. Superintendent of Schools – Roger P. Milton

C. City of Gretna, Mayor James Payne & City Commissioners Antonio Jefferson (Home rule authority HB17) Cities ability to self govern. Gaming _SB8; Post Committee Bill – Seminole Creek Gaming result in 1,000 jobs. Save Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida.

D. City of Midway, Mayor Jerrod Holton & City Commissioners

E. City of Chattahoochee, Mayor Christopher Moultry & City Commissioners

F. City of Quincy, Mayor Derrick Elias & City Commissioners

G. Town of Havana, Mayor T.J. Davis & Town Council

VII. Closing Remarks Alexander explained he wanted to listen to the concerns of the constituents to hear the concerns of the people he now represents.

 Montford – way overboard testing our students (by law reduce number of test and increase teacher pay, some students can’t test offer another test and go back to paper and pencil.) Alternative Pathway to Graduation (offer variety of testing) Early Childhood Education – Prenatal care; Open Enrollment; Enterprise Florida; Rural Counties are in crisis – SB on rural hospitals

VIII. Adjourn @ 7:35pm

Montford Aides: Melissa Durham, Marilyn Barnes

Your Committees:

§ Commerce and Tourism, Chair

§ Communication, Energy, and Public Utilities, Vice – Chair Appropriations

§ Appropriations Subcommittee on Pre- K – 12 Education

§ Health Policy Rules