CALL TO ORDER, INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

  Chair called meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.  He said, for the record, Commissioner Green was in route.

Pastor Charles Morris appeared before the Board for the Invocation, then Chair led in the Pledge.

AMENDMENTS AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA

   Dixon asked to pull Item 5 and move to 14b-not required to be a Public Hearing.

Green appeared at 6:08 p.m.

Holt/V 5-0

AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND APPEARANCES

CONSENT

Holt/ Green 5-0

1.

Ratification Memo

2.

Approval of Minutes

·         October 23, 2021 Emergency Meeting

·         November 16, 2021 Regular Meeting

3.

Approval for Adopt-A-Road Agreement with Tillman Road Cleaning Squad for Tillman Road

4.

Public Officials Bond Review

ITEMS PULLED FOR DISCUSSION

CITIZENS REQUESTING TO BE HEARD ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS

Anyone wishing to speak on agenda items or non-agenda items should schedule or notify the County Administrator’s Office before attending the meeting and will be asked to follow the Gadsden County Public Meetings Citizens Access Guidelines.  Also, public comment for Commission meetings can be submitted via email to CitizensToBeHeard@gadsdencountyfl.gov until noon on January 4, 2022.  Comments submitted after the deadline but prior to the meeting will be added to the official record, but the County cannot guarantee that Commissioners and staff will have adequate time to review comments prior to the meeting.

   Bishop Willie Green, 296 Bradwell Road, Quincy, FL  32351 appeared before the Board.

Reminded them of 3 C’s-

Continue to show

Care

Commitment

Civility

PUBLIC HEARINGS

5.

Public Hearing-Approval of Resolution 2022-001 Grant Budget Amendment for FY 2022

Moved to 14b-did not require public hearing

6.

Public Hearing-Second Reading of Ordinance 2021-015 Board of County Commissioners of Gadsden County, FL, Amending and Adopting Rules of Procedure and Decorum for the Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners

  Dixon said this was the second reading.

Mr. Knowles said this was second reading

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

Hinson said Item 5 stated Commissioners should limit their comments to a max of 6 minutes per item.  V said this was discussed during workshops.

Knowles said his recollection was they would have a timekeeping mechanism and was what Board agreed on. 

V said something he had observed, aides would be employees of County.  His concern was, nothing comes to the Commissioners without going through the Administrator.  His question, when granted aides,

Holt said that was not in this amendment and they should move on.  All employees under the Administrator. 

  V said he was just addressing, was not a part of this item now, but how they could incorporate in the future. 

  NeSmith said this was second reading, Knowles said yes.  NeSmith said he concurred with Holt.  Can see how going to move forward with this item.

Holt/NeSmith 5-0

GENERAL BUSINESS

7.

Approval to Confirm the County Building Official

  Dixon said this was to confirm the appointment of Roosevelt Morris as the new Building Official, he was not new to the County as he has worked here in the past. 

Holt/V

V welcomed him back home and looked forward to great things.

Chair called for the vote.  The Board voted 5-0

8.

Approval to Confirm the Growth Management Director

  Dixon said this was to confirm Mr. Justin Stiell as Growth Management Director

Green/Holt 5-0

9.

Approval to Award Bid No. 21-21 for Pest Control Services to Rudd’s Pest Control

  Dixon introduced above item.

Green/NeSmith

Holt asked question-was there other bids-Dixon said no other bids

5-0

10.

Approval to Lease One Type 1 2022 Chevy 3500 Frazer Ambulance

  Dixon said this was for approval of a lease agreement between GCBOCC and Leasing 2, Inc.

  Holt made motion and V made second-Holt asked if this was lease/buy option-yes. 

NeSmith asked if the lease payments would be about the same and Ms. Daniels said yes. 

  V said this was lease with option to purchase or is the payment going toward owning.

  Holt said in contract they will give option to buy but would not have to buy. 

  Knowles pointed out on page 3, this is a type of lease/purchase.

Dixon said was as much financing tool

Chair called for vote.  5-0

11.

Approval of the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of EMS Matching Grant for Emergency Services

  Dixon said Hood attempting to replace all vehicles and seeking grant funding for replacement for replacement of quick response vehicle.

  Green asked if $25,000 was included in budget-yes.

Holt/Green 5-0

12.

Approval of the East Gadsden Park at St. Hebron Bid Award No. 21-22

  Dixon introduced above item.  Want to approve this bid and keep project going.

  Holt asked if money for this-yes.

Holt/V second

  Green said in reference to park, are people able to utilize as things getting done?   

V said as 1 directly involved, citizens have been using.  Only thing they really want is walking trail.

5-0

13.

Approval of the Johnson Controls Agreement for Suppression Gas Systems Test and Inspection-FM200 and Dry Sprinkler System

  Dixon introduced above item.

Holt/Green 5-0

14.

Appointment of Commissioner and Alternate to the Canvassing Board

  Dixon introduced and said need to appoint a commissioner and alternate to canvassing board.

Holt nominated Hinson, Hinson refused. 

NeSmith as representative and Vice Chair as alternate  5-0

14b

Public Hearing-Approval of Resolution 2022-001 Grant Budget Amendment for FY 2022

  Dixon introduced item

  Holt/V 5-0  

CLERK OF COURT

15.

Updates

  No updates

COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR

16.

Updates

  Dixon said will be receiving a calendar for next 3 months for activities.  Also, will be receiving documentation on how plan to deal with aides and they can submit feedback.

  V asked update of roof to allow citizens to be able to come back in and removal of asbestos. 

Dixon said not simple equation-opened wall to address problem and trying to slow roll it but as quickly as can.  Not simple process. 

V said have rescheduled CARES and American Rescue workshop for next meeting-yes.

V said NACO meeting will absorb second meeting in February.

COUNTY ATTORNEY

17.

 Updates

  Knowles thanked everyone for their prayers for the death in his family.

  Dixon said all know that Omicron moving quickly through Gadsden County and gearing up.  Have number of employees out now with Omicron-if have doubts, get tested.

  V said his comment was, this County government does not have funds to require masks and vaccinations but was encouraging everyone to wear masks and get vaccinated.  

DISCUSSION ITEMS BY COMMISSIONERS

18.

Report and Discussion of Public Issues

Commissioner Brenda Holt, District 4

  Holt said would like for the County to apply for a FRDAP grant for St. Johns Park, Robertsville park and Friendship park. 

Asked Administrator to look at older vehicles and ones that may need to be rotated out.

Need to look at funding for renovation of building.

  Asked they consider mandate for salaries for Sheriff deputies, EMS personnel

Commissioner Eric Hinson, District 1

  Hinson said had few things:

Speaking of Omicron, had opportunity to visit dental office other day, this growing heavily. 

  V stepped out at 7:01 p.m.

  Hinson said have less than 3 weeks to meet contractual agreements with FCI.  Dixon said based on what can come up with, whether special meeting or next meeting, to see what options are.  Hinson asked if have met with FCI-no.  Hinson said need to have special meeting because deadline is February 1 to fulfill contract.  Think Board needs to buy 25,000 hotspots, there is need for them.  Motion to schedule a special meeting.  V asked for second, lack of second, motion died.

  Hinson said must reiterate, thought was going to be on agenda, sent letter about contract between Administrator and Board.  V said he would address.  There was an issue and concern was removed because Administrator tendered his resignation from Health Council.  His opinion, nothing else to discuss.  Hinson said, as have in past, wanted to make sure he was cleared.  He said County pays a percentage that goes to Health Council and wanted to make sure was cleared.  Asked attorney how will affect decision moving forward. 

  Knowles said to uncloak concerns, could provide letter of resignation.

V said yes, County Administrator has resolved by resigning from Board.  Has been tendered.  Don’t know if Health Council has met and approved yet because they do not meet regularly.

  V said the concern was a matter of ethics, Board cannot be sued over ethics, only citizen

  Hinson said can take money from contractor but have to disclose it.     

Commissioner Kimblin NeSmith, District 3

  NeSmith thanked County Administrator for meeting with him earlier. 

  Said when met with Administrator, asked for list of workshops coming up because have work to do.  Need to find ways to enhance budget. 

  Hoped everyone had awesome holiday season.

Commissioner Ronterious Green, Vice Chair, District 5

  Happy New Year to everyone.  Have lot of work to do but can do it.  Welcomed all new employees. 

  Thanked Tillman Road Cleaning Squad for adopting Tillman Road. 

  Asked about security of building. 

  Dixon said looking at building this week or early next week.  Will figure out security and ingress into parking lot.

  Holt wanted to apologize to Hinson.

Said needed funding for events that they know will be regular events. 

  V thanked her for comments. 

  Dixon said met this morning to talk about Christmas in January and as of today putting together a calendar of year-long events.  Going to be herculean challenge. 

  Holt said wanted to make sure they put numbers on stuff.

Commissioner Anthony O. Viegbesie, Chair, District 2

  V said Green and Morris got up to speak and general comments was coming together. 

  Green stepped out at 7:33 p.m.  

Green returned at 7:33 p.m.

Asked to

Receipt and File

UPCOMING MEETINGS

MOTION TO ADJOURN

  Adjourned at 7:35 p.m.