CALL TO ORDER, INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

  Chair welcomed everyone, called meeting to order at 6:01 p.m., asked for moment of silence and led in Pledge of Allegiance

AMENDMENTS AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA

  Green/Chair 3-0

AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND APPEARANCES

  None

CONSENT

  V/NeSmith 5-0

1.

Ratification Memo

2.

Approval of Minutes

·         January 5, 2021 Pre-BOCC Workshop

·         January 26, 2021 Workshop

3.

Approval and Signature for Special Assessment Liens SHIP Program-Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program

4.

Approval and Signature(s) for Satisfaction of Special Assessment Lien

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.

  Green read aloud statement

  Karen Stansberry (3 emails)

PUBLIC HEARINGS

5.

Public Hearing (Quasi-Judicial)-Oak Grove Substation Special Exemption (SE-2021-01)

   Dixon introduced 

  Jill Jeglie Reeves, AICP, Senior Planner, appeared before the Board, was sworn in and gave a brief description of this agenda item.

  Holt announced was a public hearing and asked if any comments and there was none.

  Taylor Woods Waddle, Jim Stidam and Associates, appeared before the Board.  Holt asked about solar panels and he stated solar activity not related to this project.  

  V said there was a company that was constructing and working on some solar provisions.  Holt said was power line.  He asked if this would generate any relief for current power grid that would reduce chances of power failure to recipients in area?  Believe so, strengthening grid and upgrading from current power source to handle.

  NeSmith asked his relationship and if provided any electrical services to anyone in area.  Mr. Waddle explained they were engineering firm and did civil design for expansion.  Talquin was their client.

  V/NeSmith 5-0 

6.

Public Hearing-(Quasi-Judicial) Oak Grove Substation Conceptual and Preliminary Site Plan (SP 2021-01)

  Dixon introduced above item.

  Jill Jeglie Reeves reappeared before the Board and gave a brief description of this item.

  Holt asked Commissioners if they had any questions

  NeSmith asked if existing property and just expanding-yes.

  Holt announced public hearing and asked for comments-none

V/Green option 1 5-0  

GENERAL BUSINESS

7.

Approval for Adopt-A-Road Agreement with M.R. Moore Chapter #21 for Pt. Milligan Road

V/Nesmith 5-0

8.

CR 65 (Attapulgus Hwy) SCOP Supplemental Agreement

  Dixon introduced above item

V/Hinson 5-0

9.

Approval of the 5F Music Festival

  Dixon introduced above item; event been scaled down greatly, will abide by all CDC regulations and recommending Option 1.

V motion to approve

Hinson said was not sure wanted to go down this road right now.  Talking about 5,000 people capacity.

  Green said he concurred with Hinson on this item.  Things are progressing but sets a fear in him of County hosting an event of this magnitude even with precautions in place.

  V said his motion died for lack of second and conversation not necessary.

  Dixon said for clarification it was 400 people, not 5,000.  Getting to a fine line where have opportunity to do it right.  Everyone very concerned about COVID.

  Holt asked how to deal with Ordinance that is in place.

  Knowles said Governor issued executive order; legally did not know if could stop this.  There is resolution in place that technically allows them to issue fines but there is no enforcement mechanism.

  Holt said she was in favor of events but was concerned about virus.

  Quigley said they do not normally regulate one-time events, only if going to happen on a regular basis.  Only for building permit purposes if wiring, etc.

  Dixon said if Board wanted to entertain, can table this and get more specifics. 

V motion to table/Holt second Hinson had question-

Hinson said what gives him heartburn is they were discriminating among Gadsden County residents.  Same folks that made motion was same one that clearly almost embarrassed event in Havana at car show event. 

V interjected.

Holt said to not attack a person.

Hinson stated not attacking anyone.  His thing was they were stopping others from doing it and lot of funding was lost.

Holt interjected and said item was coming back.

Hinson said for them the hear what he was saying, what’s rush?  Why can’t come back.

Holt said they were tabling and will have chance to hash everything out.  She asked they stick to the topic.

  V said he was really disappointed-yes, he made motion; never opposed any car show in Havana.  That he opposed car show was a lie.

Holt called for order; told Administrator in future needed to have deputy at meeting and then called for vote.

4-1 Hinson opposed

CLERK OF COURT

10.

Updates

COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR

11.

Updates

   No updates

COUNTY ATTORNEY

12

 Updates

   No updates

DISCUSSION ITEMS BY COMMISSIONERS

13.

Report and Discussion of Public Issues

Commissioner Eric Hinson, District 1

   Asked when starting budget process

Georgette Daniels, Asst. County Administrator, appeared and have not set date yet. Have tentative calendar.  Dixon said have issues working out with current budget and will be getting calendar out.

Senior Citizens Center and funding source-talked with Administrator and also talked with him regarding bidding process.

Wanted to talk about broadband and status.  Dixon said meeting tomorrow morning.  Wanted to as Board if could find way to meet with FCI and resolve issue so they could move forward.  Lot of citizens asking questions.  Know was approved 4-1 and knew Administrator doing his part to make sure they were in line with what they doing.  Think need to bring FCI and Board together.  Have been told by some citizens they still have service. 

  Holt asked if Administrator would check with FCI and let know what want to do.

  Hinson said did not talk with Administrator about this-Sheriff budget-thought addressed that few months ago and was why wanted to look at budget to see what going on.  Need to make sure officers were comparable with salaries in Leon County. 

Commissioner Kimblin NeSmith, District 3

  Nesmith said 1-thanked Administrator and staff for implementing GADSDEN LEADS motto. 

#2-thanked Board-every time have meeting or workshop-learns something new. 

Wants to start talk about new Commission Building-not techno friendly building with cords going everywhere.  This space does not represent motto and current facility is antiquated. 

#3-Why not have personal aides-Holt said no money.  He said for them to find the money for personal aides.  He said he attended 3 funerals past Saturday; while attending them, was invited to two church services for Sunday.  Because of those events, was doing yardwork yesterday and was stopped by someone to ask if could have community meetings so can discuss issues in area. 

He then talked about the debris around the County.

Holt said needed to be creative with money and budget in how going to fund.  Short in Building, Housing, etc.

Commissioner Ronterious Green, District 5

  Green said NeSmith made valid comments.  May can consider working out with universities to give jump-start for assistants.

Had opportunity while was riding bike and in doing so, noticed all the trash in the community. 

Commissioner Anthony “Dr. V” Viegbesie, District 2

  V said he was intoxicated with level of energy and enthusiasm he was hearing.

Asked Administrator where they were with campaign “Love where you Live”.  Also was grants available on State and local level to help run campaign.

Mental Health-was currently in NACO leadership academy and they have instituted a wellness program and was a mental health first aid training program

Commissioner Brenda Holt, District 4

  Holt complimented Men of Gadsden County for adopting MLK and Barack Obama Blvd and will be a trash pick-up.

Asked Administrator and Attorney to please review some of the items that were mentioned to check on legal side of them, aides for commissioners for 1.  On Planning and Zoning part, looking at variances and processes.  On trash issue-had bins at one time and only issue was stopped putting trash in and was putting it around.

  V said wanted to mention lot of trash he sees was trash being thrown from vehicles.

Holt asked them to review the packet on economic development.

  Nesmith echoed what V said earlier.  If need to meet more often to come up with solution for trash.  Can’t resolve without implementing something.

  Dixon said these things do not happen over night and won’t be resolved overnight.  Moving fast to rectify problem across the County.

Holt added did not have lot of manpower.  Might be year to give up pet projects and go after staff.  Need grant writer and coordinator.  Need people that know what to do. 

  Hinson said to piggyback NeSmith-creative ideas-lot of employees from public works-had some died-if could hire certain number of employees temporarily.  Sheriff used to have staff pick up trash (prisoners).  Also forgot to ask-Residential Assistance Program have $-ne3ed to find date can talk about and how to move forward.  Have $1.3 in Gadsden County now for program.

  V asked Administrator if could work with HR on HR needs and need to have manpower in place.

Receipt and File

UPCOMING MEETINGS

MOTION TO ADJOURN

Adjourned at 7:31 p.m.