INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

   Chair called meeting to order at 6:02 p.m., called for moment of silence, led in Pledge of Allegiance

AMENDMENTS AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA

  Green/Hinson

Dixon said 2 amendments, MOU between EMS & Health Department as #8a and Approve funding shifts to amend CARES Spending Plan as #8b

  Green amended/Hinson amended second

5-0

AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND APPEARANCES

CONSENT

  V/NeSmith 5-0

1.

Ratification Memo

2.

Approval of Resolution for New Chairperson-Facsimile Stamp

3.

Approval of the FY 2021/22 Proposed Budget Calendar

4.

Approval of Minutes

·         July 21, 2020 Workshop

·         July 31, 2020 Emergency Meeting

·         August 12, 2020 Workshop

·         September 15, 2020 Regular Meeting

ITEMS PULLED FOR DISCUSSION

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.

   Holt read aloud the COVID-19 statement.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

GENERAL BUSINESS

5.

Approval of the Memorandum of Agreement with the State of Florida, Department of Economic Opportunity and Gadsden County

  Dixon introduced the above item

V motion to approve/Hinson second

5-0

6.

Quincy Senior Services Roof Replacement

  Dixon introduced above item

Hinson motion to approve/V second 5-0

7.

Confirmation of new Planning Commission Member

  Dixon introduced above item

V approve/Hinson second 5-0

8.

Approval of Emergency Fuel Pump Monitoring Systems Purchase with Tyson Petroleum Contractors, LLC

  Dixon introduced above item

V approve/Green 5-0

8a

Memorandum of Understanding between EMS and Gadsden County Health Department

  Dixon introduced above item.

V approve/Hinson

  NeSmith asked if Dixon had chance to look over agreement-yes

5-0

8b

Approve Funding Shifts to Amend the Gadsden County CARES Spend Plan

 Dixon said request to amend spending plan.  Of opinion can’t do hospital and want to move money into place where could use.

  Frederica Hamilton appeared before the Board and gave breakdown of amounts to be amended.

  Dixon said knew was only $1 Million in broadband, bad business to wait on money that may or may not come in way of grant. 

  Hinson said other than broadband, think should move forward with broadband, but remainder of funding should go towards citizens; half toward business and other half to citizens.  Some folks having to move from homes; people need money now.  Need to figure out way to streamline and make easier for people to apply. 

  V said his position with regard to procurement with broadband had not changed.  CFR 200.326 Title 2 200

  Green asked 1^st) how many people applied for broadband and been approved-don’t have information,   2) as moving money down, discuss what would like to do with funding and want to look how could impact churches but also bills need to be paid and people can’t give as did in past. 

  V asked Hamilton if provision in CARES $ to help what Green talked about funding non-profits, churches

Hamilton said at discretion of Board

  Dixon said thought what commissioners were talking about, once get past December 30^th deadline, have meeting and draw money down.

  Holt said back with Hurricane Michael, had communications down; had 17 emergencies when internet down and had death.  Did everything from borrowing phones, Rep. Alexander got County connected.  Gonna be another hurricane, can’t not have communication anymore.  Have to have situation in place.  Holmes and Jackson county running cable right now.  All County here is talking about hotspots.  When everyone leaves here, people here will be stuck here.  What to do to help people.  Gonna have to bite the bullet, get communication here.  Other money coming, know its coming from Congress.  Draw money down and get past December 30^th

  V said she saying what he been thinking.  No-one in commission that does not want broadband, issue here is procurement process.  If understood what administrator said, if drawing down can now have conversation, why saying moving from one to other.  Upon drawing down, these monies provide services.  Will have hotspots sitting in warehouse somewhere drawing dust.

  Green said he asked question for purpose-seems going back and forth on something board approved.  Can’t be stagnated.  Reason asked how many people applied, could find out need to move money. 

  Holt said in order to get what supposed to get, that what need to do.  Need to make sure can get service.

  Hamilton said for them to be mindful of December 30^th

  Clerk said in terms of money, want clear in CARES Act, have ?? and $4.3 that have been submitted to do drawdown.  This week will be cutting checks for small businesses, residents and municipalities.  Will cover what in CARES Fund and then cash flow issue until approve and send rest of money.  Have not sent any of Phase 3 money. 

  Hamilton added from Clerk’s office additional $2.7 been submitted because counties in State not took part in program. 

  Green asked when would be awarded additional funding-no.  Had to meet threshold for initial award-now waiting for precursory review to be made

  Dixon said point is not our fault-it is process.  Our job to make sure have I’s dotted and t’s crossed. 

  NeSmith wanted to make sure follow protocol because Hinson called question.  Holt said no motion yet.  Asked Administrator if submitted paperwork for drawdown-yes-on review for second step. 

  Hinson made motion to approve/Green

  Clerk said had comments

4-1 V opposed.        

CLERK OF COURT

9.

Updates

   Clerk started with broadband

Hamilton mentioned documentation-so important.  Understand and wasn’t here, haven’t seen contract, every check cut has to be documented.  Need to address, if can’t deliver, pay for what delivered.  Don’t cut checks in advance.

2) Couple weeks ago, readvertised budget to take care of Truth in Millage, wanted to mention under Miscellaneous Revenue had figure of $, wanted to see what made that up.  Was quote during summer of “missing money” and never saw what they were doing.  In reviewing miscellaneous revenue was figure of $357,911, when went to saw ½ cent indigent

3) Was line item for Transfer from FEMA-relying on money from FEMA from-have company that is going after funds.  If don’t get money impacts current fiscal year. 

Just observations in budgeting process and wanted to be on record with this.  Cynical person could say trying to hide something.

End on something positive-still have $2 Million in SHIP Housing that County still has.

  Holt said when hurricane hit State mentioned need to have - when get off track, hard to get back to where are.   Did not have people in place.  These are things learning and have to do.

Told Administrator items with budget to take care of them

  V said glad for reference to blue tarps-not only in Section 3, all over.  With COVID, fortunate to have person …

Want to have seminar with person to help---

Need to expedite to help educate and help people

  Holt said at FAMU Center few years ago, had two judges giving

Also look at NFLS and funding given to them. 

  Hinson said if not mistaken, Dr. Sandra Robinson represents rural development sent letter to commissioners on how they could get with residents to help bring closure. 

  Dixon said that kind of creativity that will need in order to accomplish somethings 

COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR

10.

Updates

  Ribbon cutting at new AG center 12/18 at 1:00 pm;

Mentioned earlier will start budget process earlier so can finish sooner;

Hinson asked about emergency Housing-done research and think have formula will be sending out and if agree will be on meeting in January;

CARES Update-  

Expect will pay about $1.35 Million out for small business and Resident Grants received ? ; 254 did not qualify

CHP will be sending refund

  Holt thanked Health Council-went door to door

  V said comment was to County Administrator and attorney-recalled sometime during onset of COVID-19-wrote letter to Governor that started testing sites at hospital.  When did that, reported that letter was written and was urgent and was chastised by Board and said any letter that was written and sent out by Board, needed to go to all commissioners.  Asked them if any letter sent out, send to every commissioner-hoped understood every commissioner has

  Hinson said all fairness, commissioners that lambasted were no longer here.  If can recall, he and Holt was one ushered to move forward.  They were not part of what V said happened at time. 

  Holt said all commissioners need to know same thing.      

COUNTY ATTORNEY

11

 Updates

  Knowles asked for Board direction on WastePro contract and issue with Piggly Wiggly. 

  Holt asked if Piggly Wiggly had to use that vendor.  Did not want to speak on that until had chance to review contract. 

  V said was also item he had previewed.  Also citizens that were concerned with WastePro and their way of collecting trash; trashcans left in middle of road, etc.  Suggested they actually find time to workshop that contract and see how can revise it and make possible for who wants to use alternate trash collectors.  WastePro has monopoly. 

  Holt asked for direction-

  Hinson said need to get direction from attorney-want him to see if legal-what do they do; if not legal, what do they do.  If Piggly Wiggly not doing anything wrong, what problem.

Holt asked Knowles to get information to commissioners. 

  Hinson said also WastePro called him several times and asked him to look into it.

Would hate to harass business owner if had no grounds to do so.

DISCUSSION ITEMS BY COMMISSIONERS

12.

Report and Discussion of Public Issues

Commissioner Eric Hinson, District 1

  2 weeks ago brought up suggestion that should have conversation with WastePro.  Maybe have emergency meeting before Christmas with WastePro.   Wrong time of year to have debris all over place. 

  Holt asked if possible to Administrator to look at and contact WastePro-yes.

He said also thanked Board for being positive last few months.  Why said should put emphasis on assisting residents.  Think have great board, stay positive, agree to disagree. 

Commissioner Kimblin NeSmith, District 3

  Now that have executed contract with County Administrator, could they put on calendar for goals and needs of County. 

Dixon said located previous documents and will be provided to them

NeSmith said around

  V said worked on and need to work on

  Thanked Administrator for meeting and making himself available

Commissioner Brenda Holt, District 4

  Tracking devices-

Did talk to Senator Hayes-one over budgetary system, invited but could not make because of virus

4:00 workshop should start in January before 6:00 meeting.

  May need to look at attendance policy. 

V stepped out

She encouraged everyone to take stuff to dump 

Thanked everyone on wearing masks

Commissioner Ronterious Green, District 5

  Green mimicked what Clerk said-don’t spend what don’t need.  Why asked h ow many devices been distributed and wanted to keep track of devices going out.  Need to be refunded for what devices not used. 

  He also had written down for thanking Dixon for making himself readily available-been great help.  Looking forward to

2) Was situation where one of his constituents was refused CARES Act money was denied but was two separate businesses at same address.

3) Wanted to make sure was aware and mindful was approaching Christmas and lot of people would be gathering-Wanted everyone to keep in mind their safety-this was serious and have to fight it.

4) Thanked County Attorney a

Commissioner Anthony “Dr. V” Viegbesie, District 2

  V dittoed what Green said.  May Holiday be full of love, peace and happiness.

Receipt and File

UPCOMING MEETINGS

MOTION TO ADJOURN

  Adjourned at 7:28