INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

   Chair called meeting to order at 6:03 p.m., asked everyone to bow heads in moment of silence and then led in Pledge of Allegiance to U.S. Flag.

AMENDMENTS AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA

  Grant asked to pull item 8; add Item 16 (for numbering purposes will be Item 15a)-Approval of Lease Agreement with Board of Trustees if the Internal Improvement Trust Fund of the State of Florida and add Item 17(for numbering purposes will be Item 15b) Letter of Support for the Apalachee Regional Planning Council

Holt approval/V second

COMMISSIONER HINSON             YES

COMMISSIONER TAYLOR              YES

COMMISSIONER HOLT                   YES

COMMISSIONER MORGAN          YES

CHAIR VIEGBESIE                             YES

MOTION PASSED 5-0

  Chair V pointed out there were errors in the Agenda as posted on County Website and “Consent” was missing; should be before Ratification Memo and Items 2 – 7 were to be on the Consent Agenda.

AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND APPEARANCES

1.

Affordable Housing of Veterans

  Jim Brennan, CEO, Friends of Post 84, Inc., appeared before the Board; asked if could work with County Administrator to be partners in bringing Shelter forward and explained the proposed Shelter.

  Holt said if Board decided to work with them, would like input to be gotten from each Commissioner.

  Commissioner Taylor asked to speak with Michael Jackson, Veterans Service Officer, she asked if he was aware of this program and he said yes.  Commissioner Taylor said she wanted to speak with him because she has had several Veterans that have contacted her for assistance and she has sent them to see him.

  V said he heard that he asked to be allowed to schedule a meeting with the Administrator and for the assistance of a grant writer.

CONSENT

 Grant said Consent Agenda was before them.

Holt approval/Morgan second

Taylor question-asked what was Beard Equipment

  Knowles said since have motion and second on the floor, need to take the vote.  She said she just wanted to know what Beard Equipment was for Item 5.  Chair V stated that was Item 6 and she said she showed it was

Dr. Grant explained Beard Equipment was a company and 

COMMISSIONER HINSON             NO

COMMISSIONER TAYLOR              YES

COMMISSIONER HOLT                   YES

COMMISSIONER MORGAN          YES

CHAIR VIEGBESIE                             YES

Item passed 4-1 Hinson opposed

2.

Ratification Memo

3.

Approval of Minutes

·         June 2, 2020-Regular Meeting

·         June 5, 2020-Emergency Meeting

4.

Approval for the CareerSource Region Board

5.

CR 159A Potter Woodberry Road Widening and Resurfacing

6.

Ratification of Public Works Invoice-Beard Equipment

7.

Ratification of Public Works Invoice-Tallahassee 2 Way

ITEMS PULLED FOR DISCUSSION

   Marion Lasley, 5 Dante Court, Quincy submitted an email and Chairman Viegbesie read the email aloud.  (Will be attached following the final Minutes.)

CITIZENS REQUESTING TO BE HEARD ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS

Due to COVID-19 and the efforts of Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners to continue the practice of social distancing, Commissioners want to continue to hear from citizens under the Citizens Requesting to be Heard section of the agenda.

If citizens have any questions, comments or concerns, please email CitizensToBeHeard@gadsdencountyfl.gov and anticipate receiving a response within 48 hours.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

8.

Public Hearing-Approval of Resolution 2020-035 for FY 2020

Item pulled from Agenda

COMMISSIONER HINSON

COMMISSIONER TAYLOR

COMMISSIONER HOLT

COMMISSIONER MORGAN

CHAIR VIEGBESIE

GENERAL BUSINESS

9.

Juniper Creek Road-Bid Award

  Morgan approval option 1/Hinson second

COMMISSIONER HINSON  y

COMMISSIONER TAYLOR  y

COMMISSIONER HOLT       y

COMMISSIONER MORGAN y

CHAIR VIEGBESIE y

Passed 5-0

10.

Cooks Landing Road SCOP CEI Selection

  Grant introduced item

  Taylor approval/Holt second

COMMISSIONER HINSON  y

COMMISSIONER TAYLOR y

COMMISSIONER HOLT y

COMMISSIONER MORGAN y

CHAIR VIEGBESIE y

Passed 5-0

11.

Convert USDA Lease from a Partial Lease to a Full Lease

  Grant introduced item

  Taylor approve/Holt second

COMMISSIONER HINSON y

COMMISSIONER TAYLOR y

COMMISSIONER HOLT y

COMMISSIONER MORGAN y

CHAIR VIEGBESIE  y

Passed 5-0

12.

WA Woodham Building Fire Sprinkler Repairs

  Grant introduced item

  Holt/V

COMMISSIONER HINSON  y

COMMISSIONER TAYLOR y

COMMISSIONER HOLT y

COMMISSIONER MORGAN y

CHAIR VIEGBESIE y

Passed 5-0

13.

Gadsden County Emergency Services Education Agreement

  Grant introduced

  Morgan motioned to approve/V

  Holt asked item to be explained

  Grant explained was a recruitment and retention program

COMMISSIONER HINSON y

COMMISSIONER TAYLOR y

COMMISSIONER HOLT y

COMMISSIONER MORGAN y

CHAIR VIEGBESIE y

Passed 5-0

14.

Approval of Revisions to the Personnel Policy, Section 4.20, to Add Language Provided by FEMA to Clarify Payroll during Declared Emergencies and Natural Disaster

  Grant introduced above item

  Morgan said hated to slow train, did not understand the need for this language.  The policy did not cause issue, the process did.

  Dr. Grant explained they had a person joining from Synergy to explain.

  Jason Stolzfus with Synergy appeared remotely to explain the need for this item to the Commissioners.  Because there was no policy in place prior to Hurricane Michael, the extra pay that was paid out to salaried employees was not reimbursed to the County by FEMA.  Because of that, the County lost approximately $100,000 they were not reimbursed for.  Recommendation was to establish explanation of how overtime pay for salaried employees would be handled after a disaster so next time occurs FEMA reimbursement will be eligible for those costs.  He said value of extra pay County paid out that was not reimbursable was close to $100,000, if policy had been in place prior to hurricane, entire amount would have been eligible for reimbursement. 

Commissioner Morgan said if had been brought before Board would not be in that position.

V said the Advisory Board they had was suggesting this.  He asked if the County would be required to have a log of documentation of employees that work, times they work, days they work, all has to be logged and documented.

Mr. Stolzfus said was correct and in addition, FEMA policy says FEMA determines eligibility of overtime, etc., from pre-disaster written labor policy.  In addition to tracking hours, FEMA required there was a policy established prior to disaster that outlined how extra overtime pay would be calculated.

  Holt motion for approval/V second

  Taylor direction given weeks ago not being followed because this item was voted down as far as salary for employees, came before them previously, they decided it was procedure issue, not policy.  She not in agreement with salary employees being paid overtime, they discussed bonus.  Also talked about during emergency, County employees with regards to Administrator and those that work under Administrator, does not have authority during emergency; now falls under directions of Emergency Management.  Don’t need to tie themselves down with this.  Thought night they approved extra dollars, was for Public Works employees and salaried employees all bungled into one form and one total amount.  Agreed with having language for hourly wage employees so can be reimbursed but do not agree with salaried employees because of statute, because of terminology, feel need to stick with what have in policy.  When come under such a situation that salaried employees are made aware of what policy is so they can heed to policy as opposed to going out and then wanting to be compensated.  Not in support of salaried employees being compensated for overtime.  That should be discussion of Board.

  Commissioner Hinson said he echoed what Commissioner Taylor said.  Like what he said last time, when this happens, the one in charge is the Chairman of Board of County Commissioners and the person in charge of state of emergency is Major Shawn Wood of Emergency Management.  He asked why were they holding this conversation.  He said he wanted a list.

  Morgan said the item before them, he did not disagree with the comments of Taylor and Hinson.  The body that determines the rate of pay was the Board of County Commissioners and was not in favor of this at this time.

  V said that was the reason this item came back.  The Board wanted a payment plan.  He said this was an action item.

  Holt said they had to have a policy in place, it was hurricane season, if something happened tomorrow, they would not have a chance to vote on it.  She said for them to remember that 75% of the CARES dollars are under Emergency Management.

  V said he heard the concern of the Commissioners, Synergy was the responding agency they had in place and was told they needed the policy in place.  He suggested if they could, approve this item contingent on the Board approving a payment plan for full-time employees in case of a disaster.

  Morgan said they have a current personnel policy in place that was reimbursable by FEMA and there were no salaried employees that go unpaid for hours they work.  They were not unpaid from FEMA because of policy not in place, they were not reimbursed because of procedure that went through without approval from Board for exempt employees.  Not in favor and will not vote to approve this.

Morgan made motion to not approve/Taylor second

COMMISSIONER HINSON  y

COMMISSIONER TAYLOR y

COMMISSIONER HOLT n

COMMISSIONER MORGAN y

CHAIR VIEGBESIE n

Item failed-NO passed 3-2

15.

Approval of Gov-Easy Software CGA Proposal No. 20-3786 Agreement

  Dr. Grant introduced the above item

Holt/Morgan

  Taylor question-is this something they will have to purchase every year, every other year and where funds coming from.

  Kembrew Jackson, Information Technology Operations Manager, appeared remotely, this is annual contract-State requirement they come into compliance with adopting software.

  Taylor said did not read where this was mandated.

  Grant said had Statute where required-§553.79(b), Fla. Stat.

Holt pointed out customers could pull up permits online and businesses coming into County could pull theirs up from anywhere to view.

COMMISSIONER HINSON  y

COMMISSIONER TAYLOR y

COMMISSIONER HOLT y

COMMISSIONER MORGAN y

CHAIR VIEGBESIE y

Passed 5-0

16.

Approval of Lease Agreement with Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund of the State of Florida

  Holt/V

COMMISSIONER HINSON  y

COMMISSIONER TAYLOR n

COMMISSIONER HOLT y

COMMISSIONER MORGAN y

CHAIR VIEGBESIE y

4-1

17.

Letter of Support for the Apalachee Regional Planning Council

  Grant introduced item

Holt /Hinson

  Morgan question-said had not seen item and asked for clarity.

Grant explained.

COMMISSIONER HINSON  y

COMMISSIONER TAYLOR y

COMMISSIONER HOLT y

COMMISSIONER MORGAN y

CHAIR VIEGBESIE y

Passed 5-0

CLERK OF COURT

16.

Updates

   Nothing to report

  Taylor asked about payroll amount she stated earlier-was amount for $129,000? Yes.

  Holt asked if when Clerk makes determination on spending by Board, would he please provide local Ordinance or Statute as to his determination so they would be aware of why.

COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR

17.

Updates

  Grant reminded second budget workshop July 23^rd and should have copy of notes from meeting with the Police Chiefs.

  Taylor asked if the Board would have a chance to meet with Chiefs or was that the extent of the meeting.  Grant said from what he gathered, that was pretty much it.  Taylor said that had to be agendaed so Board could come together and look at some of suggestions so can vet what being said.

V said will be addressed Friday when meet to update Emergency Resolution.  V asked to add that to part of discussion to revisions to current Resolution for Friday

Taylor asked to also have someone from EMS and Sheriff’s Office online.

  V said fortunate to have Director of Emergency Management the Major in the Office of the Sheriff and he was one that pulled together to have monthly meetings.  He asked Grant to have Woods and EMS Director be a part of this conversation to address these items and concerns of Commissioners.

  Taylor asked about Animal Control-there is room for improvement.  Several people have called and have had issues with effectiveness of that Department.  Not sure if more training needs to be held in that department or what answer is.

  Asked where were with interviewing Administrators-knew Board had given direction that applications be made available to the Commissioners.  Grant asked if they had received the applications and was told no.  V stated he was having issues with his computer but had not received the applications.

  Morgan said he received email from Lonyell on June 12^th that had the applications in a shared folder.

  V asked Lonyell, she said the applications were scanned and emailed in a shared drive as Commissioner Morgan stated.  Staff trying to work out issues since not open to public.

  Taylor asked for hard copies.

  Summer Employment-Taylor said she requested a list from Administrator of employers who felt using young people for employment was something they did not want to entertain and when received list, also received a statement she did not remember hearing that stated there were some that did not want young people working at their agency and then some that was never contacted.  Wanted to get list of who was contacted and who denied having these young people come.

  PIO-is there 2 or 1-just 1 now

  Asked attorney to look up something for her-a personnel clause with term green in it that relaxes some of rules when comes to hiring people-asked for explanation on how that works

  CARES Project-received email from Administrator asking for ideas-liked idea of distribution of masks-also said should consider hiring people and liked idea of doing that County-wide.  Would like to see them get massive amount of masks, hire people to help distribute masks throughout County and if can work with Talquin and other agencies to help with some of utility bills on hardship cases. 

  Funding source for software for Easy-GOV-being reallocated from Building Department

  Grant informed Board that Agreement was signed today by DOM and could expect allocation from CARES Act by end of month

  Holt said when talking about volunteers and others that may be working for County-need disclaimers signed because of virus

Asked for information on permits-had person contact her about clearing and permits and did not have money for both and was from Hurricane Michael.

  She asked if he had knowledge of any County employees filing complaints with the State of Florida-no.

  Spoke with couple of grant writing companies-will get with the Administrator-they can work on percentage

  Regarding budget-need Budget Director-documentation was very important.  Need Building Department Director, need Planning Director. 

She said Hinson has been bringing up Broadband and she agreed with him.   

CARES Act $-if able to provide Broadband, need meeting ASAP with Synergy.  Need to get their projects in. 

Hinson thanked Holt and Taylor for their comments

With Broadband, should have something in place in 2 weeks & have something from a company.  His big push was a homeless center

  Wanted to address 3 concerns in District 1-

1^st-EMS being moved from Havana to Dogtown and was unaware and reached out to former Administrators

  2^nd-EMS in Midway-asked Administrator if update when service will be available to citizens in Midway

  Asked for update and completion date for bridge work on Brickyard Road-  

  V said he also heard rumors about EMS moving to Dogtown.  Where coming from? He asked if Administrator could confirm it was rumor.  He said was unaware of conversations going on with EMS, Fire and

  Grant said first he heard was when Morgan asked him, followed by Hinson.  Was told by EMS Director that there had been discussion about Havana needing someplace to go because could not continue to work in facility currently in.  Thought fire station might serve as temporary location being 5 miles from Havana until they could get better quarters.  Nothing has been planned.  As far as Midway, working on Interlocal Agreement and as soon as attorneys agree on language, can proceed.  Midway did not want services to start until October 1^st.

  Hinson said comment did not come from Commissioners, he talked with them, they did not make that recommendation.  It came from City Manager.  He said October 1^st date not accurate.  City Commissioners told him that date was far-fetched, they want EMS there now.

Grant said had not been in conversation with Commissioners, had been talking with City Manager.  Said just received text from a Commissioner and they want EMS there ASAP. 

  Said have Emergency Meeting Friday, don’t need to wait.  Need to have meeting next week if they sign this.

  Holt stepped out 7:51 p.m.

  Taylor said they need to reach out to City Administrator, get formal letter.  Was glad of explanation of EMS moving to Dogtown,

Holt returned 7:53 p.m.

Would entertain – have headstrong EMS services-they move 10 steps without asking first

COUNTY ATTORNEY

18.

 Updates

  Knowles had nothing to report

DISCUSSION ITEMS BY COMMISSIONERS

19.

Report and Discussion of Public Issues

Commissioner Eric Hinson, District 1

Commissioner Gene Morgan, District 3

  No comments

Commissioner Brenda Holt, District 4

Commissioner Sherrie Taylor Vice-Chair, District 5

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

  Return census forms

Receipt and File

UPCOMING MEETINGS

MOTION TO ADJOURN

  Adjourned  8:00 p.m.