INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

  Chair welcomed everyone and called meeting to order at 1:03; explained attorney was joining by Zoom because of attending the Canvassing Board.  Asked everyone to bow heads for moment of silence and then led in Pledge

CONSENT

  Taylor approve agenda/V

4-0

CITIZENS REQUESTING TO BE HEARD (3-Minute Limit)

Due to COVID-19 and the efforts of the 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.

The Board of County Commissioners would like to thank everyone for their patience and flexibility during this time.

Approval of Agenda

 Taylor approve agenda/V

4-0

GENERAL BUSINESS

1.

Approval of COVID-19 Resolution 2020-62

    Removal of curfew

Commissioner Holt appeared at 1:08 p.m.

  Morgan motion to approve without curfew and take away mandate of masks and replace with strong recommendation – died lack of second

  Knowles said remove curfew would be only revision

  Holt no problem with lifting curfew if Sheriff agrees, keep mask.

  Taylor disagreed with removal of curfew

Taylor arrived at 1:12 p.m.

  Taylor said disagreed of curfew-idea comes from law enforcement? Yes. 

Taylor said could not vote to support no curfew, knew numbers coming down, but her vote was curfew and mask stay in.

  Hinson said perplexed with number of shootings have recently had with Sheriff agreeing to no curfew

  V asked if Col. Collins was on the line-no.  Steele contacted Collins and he joined by Zoom.

V asked if appropriate to move on to next item and come back to this?  Knowles said that was fine, just vote to table and come back.

  Holt move to table/Morgan

 4-1

  Col. Collins joined by Zoom.

V asked why and how LEO came up with decision regarding curfew-can’t enforce-puts them in conflict with Governor’s State of Emergency Order.

  Hinson said understandable, but have respectable citizens if put law down, will listen to what law says. 

  V said understood but whatever Governor says preempts local law. 

  Morgan said had no idea what Hinson said maybe because of connection,

  Holt said feels keep mask and if LEO feels can’t enforce curfew, drop

Holt motion to keep mask and drop curfew/V

Hinson said understood all the Commissioners, but this County different, we only County that minority majority.  Lot of elders with health risk;

  Taylor said term home rule not being interpreted correctly.  County has right to adopt what right for this County.  Can’t have one without other.  Rather have something on books so have support of this County.  

  Holt said citizens and people on Board will have to realize have to protect selves, government won’t, if don’t wear mask, in trouble.  If LEO has something can’t legally enforce, have problem. 

COMMISSIONER HINSON n

COMMISSIONER TAYLOR y

COMMISSIONER MORGAN n

COMMISSIONER HOLT y

CHAIR VIEGBESIE y

Taylor went on record saying did not support curfew being lifted

2.

Approval of the Citizen Education and Prayer Vigil Scheduled for October 24, 2020 on the Gadsden County Courthouse

Hinson/

COMMISSIONER HINSON y

COMMISSIONER TAYLOR y

COMMISSIONER MORGAN y

COMMISSIONER HOLT y

CHAIR VIEGBESIE y

3.

Approval of the Souls to the Polls Event Scheduled for October 31, 2020 on the Gadsden County Courthouse Grounds

  Grant introduced

Holt/V

Taylor asked if this was political rallies

Holt said just to encourage people to go to polls and vote.

COMMISSIONER HINSON y

COMMISSIONER TAYLOR n

COMMISSIONER MORGAN y

COMMISSIONER HOLT y

CHAIR VIEGBESIE y

PASSED 4-1

4.

Approval of the Employee Agreement for the Gadsden County Administrator

  Grant introduced above item.

  V said wealth of information came last night – Elias presented counter-offer last night.

1)      $125K per year for 2 years, rest of contract remains as presented

2)      $120K per year for 2 years; $500 monthly vehicle allowance; rest of contract remains as presented

3)      $135K for 1 year

  Knowles said if look on 2^nd page, took

2 things, car allowance is monthly, not yearly and $125K

  V asked if voting for each item

Knowles said just vote up or down and if had another counter-proposal, present that

  Knowles said can approve any

  V asked if vote $

  Hinson said lowest offer is $120K

Knowles suggested one make a motion for what want, vote up or down.

  Holt said from looking at list of counties, none of ones in area are that high, Jefferson at $82,5 and Jackson at $81,000.  She was not in favor of 5 years an

Holt motion for previous offer made/Morgan second

  Morgan agreed with comments of Holt, Elias has zero experience, needs to consider fact that 5 year contract includes everything he asking for.  As he gains experience, can reward with appropriate raise and he can bring in someone to groom.  Don’t screw up like have done before.

  V said Holt motion to keep contract at $105,000 and Morgan made second

  Hinson said don’t know Elias, fair is fair and right is right.  Looking at his resume, he was chairman of Transportation Disadvantage Board, spent years as City Commissioner.  He understand when things go bad, remain calm.  He wants someone that understands what comes with job.  With being Commissioner, gives him more than enough experience to understand County government, more than worth it.  Agree with everything said. 

  V said personally, hoped he comes to work with County and can compromise on contractual arrangement.  Amount he asking for is concerning.

  Hinson said to think about, V interrupted and said he would do his own thinking.

Hinson said out of all the constitutional officers make more; all about being fair.  

V called for vote

  Taylor concurred with Morgan, asked if attorney could put language in agreement that in this amount of time will make this amount if get certain rankings in evaluation.  Agree maintain base salary but understand when trying to get salary comparable to

  V said to be aware, Elias rejected $105,000 salary and made a counter of $120K. 

Holt called question

 COMMISSIONER HINSON y

COMMISSIONER TAYLOR n

COMMISSIONER MORGAN y

COMMISSIONER HOLT y

CHAIR VIEGBESIE y

Passed 4-1

  Morgan said for Board to keep in mind, did not accept counter, he can accept or not original offer.

  Holt said in contract, if put range,

Taylor left meeting at 2:10

Holt said any applicant has to have opportunity

  Knowles asked if specified time period, number of years – 5.  Morgan said same terms, take it or not.

  Lonyell Butler appeared before the Board.  Needed clarity as far as terms and also direction now is this offer is to be presented and he accepts or not and bring back when?  As soon as possible.  V said he would not be available until November 17^th and

  Holt said if any other issues come up, how will be handled? 

  Morgan pointed out effective date should be December 1^st.    

MOTION TO ADJOURN

Adjourned at 2:15 p.m.