Board of County Commissioners

Gadsden County, Florida

Regular Public Meeting

December 5, 2017

6:00 p.m.

 

Present:               Brenda Holt, Chair, District 4

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

                                Eric Hinson, District 1

                                Gene Morgan, District 3

                                Sherrie Taylor, District 4

                                Dee Jackson, Interim County Administrator

                                David Weiss, County Attorney

                                Marcella Blocker, Deputy Clerk

 

INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANC

  Chair Holt called the meeting to order and asked everyone to silence their phones.  Commissioner Viegbesie said the Invocation would be by Pastor Williams of First Community Primitive Baptist Church.  Everyone was asked to stand and Chair Holt them led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the U. S. Flag.

 

AMENDMENTS AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA

  Add 8a-GCDC contract

Commissioner Morgan said that item was about funding and was not publicly advertised and why on this Agenda.  Chair said spoke with GCDC and Manager and no change in contract, money was approved and was budgeted, just change in how disbursed.  Chair said to vote on agenda and then discuss

 

V move approval to agenda as amended/Holt second-2-2 Hinson and Morgan opposed. Chair said not added-not enough votes.

 

V/Hinson 4-0 approve agenda

 

AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND APPEARANCES

 

1.

Presentation

(Andy Thomas, Public Defender for Leon County)

  Andy Thomas appeared before the Board concerning the overcrowding at the jail.

 

Commissioner Taylor appeared at this juncture of the meeting.

 

Mr. Thomas said he had spoken with the Sheriff concerning this matter and how the overcrowding could be addressed.  Suggested they could look at non-monetary bail where someone was established and known in the community and was not a flight risk.

 

Commissioner Taylor said the person that sparked the conversation she found out had been in jail long past what their sentence would have been if he had been sentenced.  She asked if this could be taken up at their budgeting session.

 

Chair said she would like to see some programs and they could do that before the budgeting session.

 

Mr. Thomas said one thing they could do was pretrial release and bail reform

 

V thanked him for coming and said he did not know how much he worked with the Public Safety Coordinating Council, if not one here maybe could work on establishing one here.

 

CLERK OF COURT

 

 

 

CONSENT

 

 

 

ITEMS PULLED FOR DISCUSSION

 

 

 

CITIZENS REQUESTING TO BE HEARD ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS

 

 

   Rosetta Hylton-Anderson, 8215 S. Virginia Street, Quincy, FL-appeared before the Board regarding National Hookup of Black Women, Inc.

Wanted to appear to make sure the BOCC knew who they were and what they do.  Active in community, do literacy training with young people at every library; domestic violence presentation where a victim gives testimony before young people; She also passed out a brochure to the Commissioners.

 

 

 

PUBLIC HEARINGS

 

2.

PUBLIC HEARING-Adoption of Ordinance No. 2017-009, An Ordinance of the BOCC of Gadsden County, FL amending Section 74-1 of the Gadsden County Code of Ordinances, to include parks and recreational facilities maintenance and improvements as an authorized use of the discretionary and improvement as an authorized use of the discretionary sales surtax proceeds levied pursuant to Section 212.055(3), Florida Statutes; providing for repeal, severability, inclusion in the Gadsden County Code of Ordinances, modifications that may arise from consideration as public hearing, and correction of scrivener’s errors; and providing for an effective date

  Ms. Jackson introduced the above item.

 

Chair Taylor announced it was a public hearing and explained the Ordinance to the public.

 

Ms. Jackson pointed out it did require a super majority vote.

 

V said this was first adopted in 1995 and amended in 2011.  He said this was not about the $200,000 but would enable Public Works to work in all the parks in the County.  He said using PW in any of the parks have violated their own ordinances.

 

Morgan said he was confused because they talked about this item in a previous meeting and this appeared to be the same as in the previous-as a point of order why was it before them again.

 

Mr. Weiss said his recollection was it come back with revisions and since they found out PW could not do any work on any parks and they decided to bring this back before the Board and limitations could be placed on this along with it being sunsetted after a period of time.

 

Morgan said this was not a good move and not the way to get this done.

 

Jeff Price, Budget Director, appeared before the Board.  Chair Holt asked how the PW department was funded-gas tax-she asked about SCOP and SCRAP-different grants.  He said the surtax they were discussing-half went to PW and half to Fire.

 

Mr. Weiss said funds for PW come directly from gas tax and was restricted funds.  This discretionary sales tax the County can elect to use it however they wanted with limitations.

 

Chair said there was State tax money when the public would buy items in the County-originated when the jail was being built; then designated to include fire. 

 

V said legal opinion after last meeting-parks and recreation (real legal opinion)

 

Hinson called the question and Chair said they had not heard from the public.  He said last time he voted in favor of this but could not do something that would affect the other districts.

 

Morgan said was unaware of violations of ordinance they had and would need to be shown and what this was about was prioritizing and budgeting-if opened up it would never stop.

 

Chair announced it was a public hearing and asked if anyone wished to speak and there was no-one.

 

Chair said if they do this how would the compensate

 

Jackson said way used PW in past has been in-kind services where no money coming from pot

 

Taylor said she was confused-she asked if Clyde wanted Curtis to have PW cut St. John’s park, asked if Clyde’s budget would be affected and not PW

 

Jackson said PW had equipment that Parks and Rec did not have and that was reason for the change in this Ordinance to enable park being built.

 

V asked Jackson since she was grant writer, if the PW in-kind match mentioned and approved by former County Administrator – yes.  V said in-kind services were used as leverage to get grant.  Said this was retaliatory action in not getting park through

 

Holt asked Jackson if when she wrote the grant if she was told in-kind services could not be used-no

 

Morgan said if hearing conversation-making exception for one situation and what happens when someone comes in 5 years-opening something don’t want to do with possible legal ramifications-if warrants this much discussion simply not good judgment to use $ for parks-if want to fund park

 

V said would like citizens to understand $200,000 not out of county budget but was grant and PW in-kind was actually part used for leverage for grant.  If former Administrator who was former PW Director knew could not be used, why was it suggested to do in-kind services.

 

Holt said the Board approved the grant and everything they have talked about was talked about in this room.

 

Clyde Collins came forward.  Holt asked who cuts grass, him-who

 

Taylor asked the Administrator about the in-kind portion-no money-in-kind that Clyde’s department

 

Holt asked if PW could volunteer their services-yes-can not

 

V adoption option 1/Holt second with question-asked if limited to one time-V said if ordinance not changed they were violating their own ordinance. 2-3 Holt, Taylor Morgan opposed.

 

Taylor made motion for one time approval to get this pushed through/V Weiss wanted clarity

 

He said best way would be to establish date to cut-off-Jackson asked if could be make specific to project with no date

 

V said this was not for park-for $200,000 walking trail for park

 

Taylor said approve ordinance 2017-009 adding that it will sunset in 2019 and be specific to this grant/V second Morgan question

 

Morgan asked Jackson for breakdown of dollars-did not have in front of her-he said of $200,000 $60,000 going to architect and designer-so not getting $200,000 for park.  Morgan asked attorney if he was comfortable with this moving forward-yes

 

Chair called for vote 4-1-Morgan opposed

 

V thanked the Commission for doing what they just did-cannot continue to do what have been doing and get results

 

GENERAL BUSINESS

 

3.

Cooks Landing Road SCOP Agreement

  Jackson started to introduce item

 

Holt/V Morgan asked to let public know what doing

 

Jackson introduced above item

 

5-0

 

4.

County Road 65B (Old Federal Road) SCOP Agreement

  Jackson introduced above item

Holt/V Morgan had question

 

Attachment not correct-correct attachment  in front of them

 

5-0

 

5.

Bell Road SCRAP Agreement

  Jackson introduced item

Hinson/V Taylor question

 

Taylor asked district-District 1-Hinson said there was no address-he was told whole road

 

5-0

 

6.

Request to Apply for the Criminal Justice, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Reinvestment Grant

  Jackson introduced above item –permission to apply for grant for $1.3 Million

 

V said Redeemed been doing outstanding work with Jail-Redeemed is non-profit organization and applying for grant through BOCC-what would that do to other non-profit organizations-was told Redeemed under Sheriff Department and if receive grant would be monitored by Clerk’s Office

 

V option 1/Holt second and asked Annie Berry to come forward to tell about grant

 

Expand drug court-pretrial release, monitor people going to jail to see if mental health issues

 

Chair called for vote.

 

Weiss said approving application of grant tonight and will come back before them

 

V amended motion to include grant must come back before BOCC for final approval/Taylor second 5-0

 

7.

2017 Striping Project Phase II-Bid Award

  Jackson introduced above item

V asked Jackson if there would be no chance of coming back and making changes-no-not doing change orders

V/Holt Hinson question 5-0

 

Morgan asked about striping product and changed product

 

8.

Approval to Utilize County Law Enforcement Training Funds to Conduct an Active Shooter Training Involving Faith-Based Organizations

  Jackson introduced above item

V/Holt Taylor question-

 

Hinson said no problem but asked being faith-based could they support it-Weiss said not promoting religion and no single type-ok

 

5-0

 

8a.

Economic Development Professional Services Contract

 

COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR

 

9.

Update on Various Board Requests

   Update on Ag Center-Architect will be done end of this month-will go out for bid first of January and not in jeopardy of missing timeline

Courthouse-had discrepancy as far as timeline and will be meeting to update timeline

Greenshade fire station-going out for bid next week to get started with building

Reminding about Christmas parade-Friday at 6:00

Christmas luncheon at PW next Thursday 12/14

Public hearing – Florida House of Representatives-December 11 at 3:00 these chambers

Community Meeting on Stevens School meeting December 11 at Kelly Campbell at 6:00

Economic Development retreat Tuesday 12/12 at Tri-Eagle at 4:00

 

Taylor stepped out

 

Ingram’s Marina for sale and was suggested by a Commissioner if Board was interested and asked for Board direction as to whether if want brought as agenda item-V suggested workshop

 

Changes being made to day-to-day processes at County and will not affect budget to increase safety and streamline process

 

Said would be submitting electronically monthly newsletters to all commissioners to keep abreast of day-to-day highlights

 

Taylor returned

 

Thanked them for allowing her to serve and thanked staff

 

Taylor said wanted to get back to striping-had left-over funds for roads in each district-she has 3-4 roads in her district that need to be striped with new type striping

 

Morgan thanked her for updates-County-Wide communication-status-everything signed and submitted; application put in for FCC license

 

He asked about televising meetings and issue with problems in Chattahoochee area-Spectrum now lost governmental channel and asked to keep them abreast of what going on

 

If anything can do here to broadcast meetings live over internet-she said some upgrades they could enact and will discuss with IT Director if will of Board.

 

V said his understanding when got contract with Southerland, the Clerk’s office was streaming live already; Hinson said yes

 

Holt said Clerk not initially, Southerland came first, Clerk came later, then cancelled with Southerland and Clerk added camera.  Deputy Clerk Marcella Blocker said the Clerk was not live-explained recorded and was put on website next day.  Holt said had no problem with Facebook live or any other live.  Asked that all options be looked at.

 

Hinson felt like image and information is everything and did not think need Facebook Live have 4-5 other ways meeting can be viewed; Clerk’s Office; Southerland’s website-his humble opinion don’t want to get bogged down-Tallahassee doesn’t have live-could hurt image of County if put there

 

Morgan said this was strictly to provide access-need to get over insecurities of not wanting people to see Board-if Board does not want to do OK-in day and age where information processed differently-

 

Had discussed redistricting issue with Administrator and she was gathering information

 

V left

 

Jackson said reached out to Supervisor of Elections, 29747 registered voters in County; District 1 7813; District 2 6517; District 3 4780; District 4 4994; District 5 5643  Said as to whether have to redistrict, was not able to get answer-Supervisor of Election out of town

 

Morgan said wide disparity with largest district 7813 and smallest 4780.

 

County Administrator position itself-asked what are they doing-have not received direction from the Board

 

COUNTY ATTORNEY

 

10.

 Update on Various Legal Issues

  Weiss said could speak on redistricting

 

V returned

 

Weiss said had mentioned at last meeting and now was happy to respond to specific question-Morgan asked if he could explain to public why important to redistrict and he did so.  Mandatory obligation is to look at each district and Commission is to look at numbers during odd numbered years

 

Morgan clarified why bringing this up-if doesn’t require change-fine-want to make sure have met legal requirement to meet statute-Weiss said don’t have to redraw but have to take action to reaffirm line and did not happen.

 

Woman spoke about livestock being kept in rural residential and code enforcement action taken and fined them for keeping-asked what Board wanted to do about it and to him his option was did the Board want to file lawsuit against him or wait to see if neighbors filed.

 

V asked attorney and administrator-his understanding that offender has been charged $50.00/day for approximately 60 days-Dee said much more involved-person won lottery and $ not issue.

 

Clyde appeared-sent citation-man who owns hogs does not own property-have taken her to Magistrate-being fined $50/day for violation

 

Holt said they needed to think about what they want to do

 

Holt said this was not isolated incident

 

Taylor said he said they were in violation-rules on the books-

 

Weiss clarified Code Enforcement Ordinance adopted years ago

 

Taylor said already exhausted process-her sentiment goes to people living next door

 

Taylor motion to start legal process-died for lack of second

 

Morgan asked Weiss-1) they talked in past about process or direction who had ability to add or take off agenda and still confused-Holt said when she first was on Board any commissioner could put items on agenda-after Croley and Morgan came on-Croley

 

Weiss said Ordinance said agenda prepared by County Administrator in appropriate form is approved by Commission-to him County Administrator put items on agenda-County Administrator approves final agenda

 

V said he thought every commissioner on dais has 1 vote and does not thing Chair should dictate or determine what goes on agenda & if something affect district that Commissioner should be able to contact Administrator to have placed on agenda for discussion

 

Holt said she agreed with him but there had to be some finalization & she has asked for Policies and Procedures t  Jackson asked if item or workshop-Holt said could be workshop

 

Morgan asked attorney – still getting emails about public information-have received responses from all commissioners

 

Weiss responded to Morgan’s statements

 

DISCUSSION ITEMS BY COMMISSIONERS

 

11.

Report and Discussion of Public Issues

 

 

Commissioner Eric Hinson, District 1

  Noticed time meeting finished at 6:40 p.m. and now 8:40 pm and felt cameras slow them down  - now that have cameras think they need to stay focused; help out seniors and youth & community; hope to put strong emphasis on community centers and parks because when healthy less chance may need EMS or go to hospital

 

Morgan stepped out

 

He said some churches had own community center

 

Morgan returned

 

He said County was supposed to protect public health, safety, and welfare and they were getting away from responsibility.  Not saying spend money all over place

 

Holt asked if he wanted to make motion-will bring something up in future.

 

 

Commissioner Gene Morgan, District 3

Nothing

 

 

Commissioner Sherrie Taylor, District 5

   Wanted to reiterate having Administrator bring back how much funds left in paving project

 

Amount of money set aside for emergency fund-was language concerns by former administrator and wanted to know where were now- were needs-and asked attorney how would they handle-in small county-everyone kin-if related to commissioner could funds be utilized

 

Weiss said first part was-Clerk expressed concerns about program and process and availability of funds -thinks mainly notification issue and Clerk expressed desire to codify policy and ordinance and have procedures and would address some concerns.   Can refer people who have needs,.  Don’t see where would not qualify as public purpose, Clerk one who ultimately writes checks; see no harm in adopting policy as ordinance- can’t show favoritism

 

Hinson said just had audit report and asked if they said something-not that Weiss was aware of-Hinson said move forward working way is-people need help-already voted during budget workshop-thinks need to vote on this tonight-Christmas coming and don’t want folks freezing in their house

 

Holt said she thought all recommendations go to Manager anyway-Weiss said Commissioners could make people aware of program-Commissioners cannot tell them what to do-need to stay within the law

 

Hinson said his thing was, for the record, never had problem, just found out they could do this-wants to slow down

 

Hinson motion would be to let keep going way is Holt said did not need motion

 

V said that was point he was trying to make-already had process in place.

 

Taylor said that was perfect only concern was fellow across street based on his concerns

 

Dee said thought is Board decided this is way want to move forward, Clerk had to honor it

 

 

Commissioner Anthony “Dr. V” Viegbesie, Vice Chair, District 2

  2 things: motion for proclamation to recognize Amanda Gee-100 years old on January 6th /Hinson  second 5-0

 

Suggested this weekend heard County should take a look at-Pasco County has County Food ordinance and asked they send him copy and thought they could look at to see if want to explore to help citizens

 

 

Commissioner Brenda Holt, Chair, District 4

  Holt said had two items-Chamber and GCDC contracts-asked if invoices paid yet-no and said contract not fully executed until tonight when gets signed and will go to Clerk-first payment will be $40,000.  Said both are behind because backed up economic development plan-

 

Action was at November 7th meeting-was approved by Board-

 

V said the attorney addressed his comment-since commitment made-if parties-this Board and GCDC-if  

 

Taylor said any contractual agreement has room for amendment-not sure why was not added to agenda

 

Holt said request was to have payments in installments like Chamber

 

Hinson said had 30 days-started November 7-if wait another day or two or need to make decision tonight?  Weiss said contract said one payment of $80,000 due upon approval of contract-explained 30 days’ notice and termination clause

 

Holt motion to set up pay schedule same for GCDC same as Chamber/V second for discussion

V’s take is honor 2-3-Hinson, Taylor, Morgan opposed

 

Holt motion to put GCDC and Chamber on next agenda for pay schedule/V 5-0

 

Holt help up Policies and Procedures

 

Receipt and File

12.          Letter from Duke Energy

                Letter from FDOT

                Letter from the City of Miami Beach

                Statement of Revenues, Expenditures & Changes in Fund Balance-Budget & Actual

 

UPCOMING MEETINGS

 

 

December 19, 2017-Regular Meeting – 6:00 p.m.

 

MOTION TO ADJOURN

  Adjourned at 9:34 p.m.

 

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