CALL TO ORDER, INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

  Chair welcomed everyone to meeting and called it to order at 6:04 p.m.  Invocation given by Ronald McCloud.  Chair led in Pledge.

AMENDMENTS AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA

  Add 8a in reference to Shade Meeting

Holt approve/V second 5-0

AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND APPEARANCES

CONSENT

  Holt/Green 5-0

1.

Ratification Memo

2.

Approval of Minutes

·         December 7, 2021 Regular Meeting

·         December 21, 2021 Regular Meeting

3.

Training for Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office Employees

4.

Breath Test Operator Renewal Course CJSTC #951

5.

Commanders Academy – Class 10

6.

Approval of Satisfaction of Special Assessment Lien Dated February 3, 2014

7.

Approval of a Joint Resolution with the Board of County Commissioners of Jackson County to the US Corps of Engineers

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 February 1, 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.

  Green read aloud the above statement.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

GENERAL BUSINESS

8.

Approval of the Modification #1 to the State-Funded Small County Emergency Operations Center Design Initiative Grant F0073, Approval of the Joel Sampson Architect, Inc.

  Dixon introduced above item.

Hinson motion to approve modifications/V second  Holt question

Holt asked if reimbursement grant. 

Green question – asked if estimate of costs. 

Chair called for vote-5-0

8a.

  Dixon introduced above item.

  NeSmith motion to permit/Holt second

Green question-Green said he would have to refrain from voting due to relationship of case.

Board voted 4-0

9.

Motorola Grant Applications

Hinson motion to approve/Green second

Holt question-

Daniels said coming from radio communications funds and then will have to budget each fiscal year

Green asked-due to age of equipment-do we know age of equipment.

Dixon said this was equipment purchased 3-4 years ago and has set in warehouse-has been aging and reason bringing contract-warranties going out on equipment.

  NeSmith thanked Administrator for meeting with him yesterday-during several years equipment was formant, did we have service agreement?  No.

Debbie Giles, Motorola, appeared before the Board with James Parker.  Went from 3 tower site to 5 tower site to give additional coverage.  Any issues when equipment went into field, they to care of now this is to maintain equipment.

  Hinson said supports this

Chair called for vote-5-0

10.

FDOT Grant Applications

  Dixon introduced above item and said was SCRAP, SCOP, CIGP programs

5 roads recommended and must choose 4

Hinson selected Providence Road/ Holt second

  NeSmith said understanding in District 5 that’s a bridge

  Justin Ford appeared-can apply for 2 bridges

Hinson question-asked about Iron Bridge Road-has lot of traffic-is anything in place for bridge?

Justin said some improvements coming to road-bids coming in few weeks.     

  NeSmith asked Justin if roads in order-no.  Part of Old Federal Road part of district 3-did Old Federal now doing western part. 

  Dixon said real choice is Aspalaga, Old Federal

  Holt asked if could stay on these and get them taken care of.  Asked about Old Federal-Justin said eastern half done.  She asked which is worst road-Aspalaga is.  Old Federal has more traffic. 

  NeSmith said have received complaints about Aspalaga and Providence-have received none on Old Federal.   If had to remove one, would take off Old Federal. 

Aspalaga, Providence. Dogtown/Green second 5-0

11.

Gadsden County Mobile Health Unit

  Dixon introduced above item.  Pointed out typo-was voted on in August.  Also requested Board store and maintain mobile health unit.

  Green said was coming with money-will that suffice the upkeep-$10,000 for first year.

  Holt said spoke with Administrator-contract needs to be between organization and County. 

  V said hearing statement from Holt, who storing and maintaining unit-Dixon said County.  Dixon said grant is to health council. 

Holt said if have property

  Hinson said was going to approve but was thrown off with we have to provide maintenance.  Reimbursed?  Yes.

  Hinson motion to approve-V said had 3 hands up and asked him to wait.

  NeSmith asked if unit being purchased by health council-Dixon said funding coming from State-Council asked County to make purchase and County will be reimbursed.  NeSmith asked if County would own unit-no health council will own and will operate it.  NeSmith said liability comes with the unit. 

  Green said concern is who would insure vehicle.  Dixon said under the health council.

  Holt said language on conract said

  Mr. Thomas wanted to add to what holt said-generally when legislature deals with local group, they like to go through unit of local government and want them to have ownership to make sure kept up and maintained. 

  V said hearing what heard, asked if any urgency to approve right now? 

  Holt said if any changes made, have to be approved tonight.

  Hinson said heard lot of things, noticed put $250,000 into it to get matching grant.  Asked if County would be reimbursed $400,000-no $250,000. 

  Dixon said this was ongoing grant-is time sensitive.  Will suspect health council would not want to own

  Hinson motion to approve/Holt second 5-0

12.

Figgers Communications, Inc.

  Dixon said received documents earlier.

  Knowles said as all aware, contract expired today.  Had discussion yesterday and today.  FCI requesting additional 6 months to distribute with 6-month extension and another 6-month extension.  Admin spoke with Superintendent, will purchase devices and donate to school board, 

  Hinson said if going to extend, should stick with original contract so citizens could have access. 

  Green said what was energy to taking on donated devices. 

Dixon said superintendent was hopeful. 

Green asked in timeframe that has been given, people that needed hotspots, why haven’t they made attempt to get devices. 

  Green said in hearing that, if we caused, we owe extension. 

  Dixon said for point of clarity, while cease and desist was put in place, it was also lifted by the Board.

  Clerk said have not had chance to review-still seems to be request for advance payment and is problematic.  Cannot pay for devices and services not being used.  Finance Director has made several requests for W-9 and still have not received same.  Need to have that.  3^rd, been going on since 2020, from our perspective, designed from one company-should be disclosure here, if received multiple funds from company need to be disclosures. 

  NeSmith said have number of questions.  NeSmith said received multiple campaign contributions from FCI and his company and persons related to his company.  Said there were multiple concerns, can we purchase and donate items.  Are we being asked to amend this contract or extend.

Dixon said could do nothing, extend contract

  NeSmith asked to refrain from voting.  Dixon said could not abstain.

  Knowles said the conflict of interest would be, if have specific interest must disclose on specific date…If feel uncomfortable, will have to fill out form, explain why.  Can abstain but if choose to do so and cannot continue in conversations regarding item. 

  Holt asked if going to hear from company and after may have more questions.

  V asked to hear from representative of company. 

  Rose Garrison, Esquire, but not appearing as attorney. 

  Jerry Moscowitz appeared via Zoom.  Humbly ask for Board to approve to give them opportunity to perform and hand out remaining units.  Ask for favorable support.

  V said as Clerk said, just received item.  Asked Administrator, School district has approximately 4,500-if go that route, would add ?  Don’t think will be close to 6,000.  Already over and above.  Has assessment been done to see how many needed?  Would not be hotspot going to each student, but to each household.  This issue been around almost 3 years.  Sense of urgency not as much as 3 years ago.  Asked if could tell how many cell towers been installed since 2020-know have installed at least 2-3.  The need not as urgent as was in 2020.  Since then, many households have greater internet service.  If county pays for first 3 months, who pays after that-will have dead hotspots after that time and will still have same problem with no service.  Talking about roads that need to be paid, have hospital that need…Need health specialist that need to come to hospital building.  Want over with but not with wasting what little money have. 

  Hinson said has workshop last year and 4-5 years ago.  Asked Board to strengthen broadband infrastructure.  Why made motion to approve Motorola.    

  Hinson motion to approve 12,500 devices, extend contract 6 months or year/Holt second

  Holt said did not finish question on conversation with superintendent-will it have to go before school board-no.  Holt said don’t want to get school board involved and we couldn’t settle it.  If any problems, who does it fall back on.  Dixon said sure School Board, never had chance.  Issue not with items themselves, more of with operation of item.  Never had opportunity because they were never delivered.  If make agreement or extension, need to have something from Superintendent.  If have that, would be no-brainer.  How do settle right now?  Would like to hear from company about her concerns.

  V asked if Moscowitz had comments.  1 concern with working with school Board.  Do think still need and why asked for ability to hand out additional devices.  Agree some needs that were there initially no longer there.  Think can perform,, can reduce amount of CARES $ for

  Holt said there was a request for W-9 and need

  Clerk said can make payment of $1700.  Dixon and staff went through documentation and confirmed what.  Approved bill for $40,000 and sent memo that was inappropriate.  Need W-9 and can make payment of $1700 and $40,000 will be null and void.  Clerk’s position was improper expenditure. 

V asked if

  M said was hard to hear and what heard was money that was owed.  Was separate issue from this and will work with Clerk’s office.

  Holt said hotspots will be delivered to school; if deliver want to be paid, then connection issue. 

  M said would like to sit with Clerk to discuss and will put correct accountability in place.  Already lot in contract and will not have to redo-will ass amendment. 

  Holt said had hiccups before and never worked. 

  M said have current viable contract with dispute ongoing-will deliver units if amendment approved. 

  Holt said on contract, will deliver, receive 2 payments.  If extend contract saying same terms apply.  Knowles said no, changing distribution.  Knowles said service unused would be reimbursed for. 

  Holt said reason way laid out, when do they pay.  Clerk letting them know if problem, want to stop.  If going to do, need to be laid out,

  Knowles said best way, when devices distributed and activated, be paid for. 

Holt said if going to extend, need new document.  If approve, clause needs to be there, delivery, connection, service.  How want to amend needs to be in motion. 

  V said about to vote on something that about to involve another entity with school board.  Administrator has not had conversation with superintendent.  Now about to include a whole other government and they have not been consulted. 

  V said school board has more money for broadband than County.  Have lot of killings going on and need money for that.

  Holt said what need money for was what he just said.  Kicker is have to have something from other organization, have to have amendment, get all straightened out tonight.  Asked Hinson if agreement looking at has to include those things.  Think needs to state that school Board agrees to take delivery. 

  Hinson said think stuck with school board, have other options, Florida State Hospital, Trulieve, Walmart, etc.  Not only school Board, put everything out there what County/FCI need to do and work from that point. 

  Holt said without items in there, extend contract 30 days or won’t fly. 

  Holt suggestion is have 30 days to get language together.  

  Dixon said has been Board’s wish to make this thing happen.  If going to wait three weeks to do something again, could not talk to school board because never talked to FCI.  If have concern, it’s always been there. 

  Green said think collaboration would be great, however this is

  Holt stepped out 8:09

Green continued FCI should consider having contract with school boar themselves and not County.  Just getting this document.  Agree to 30 day extension but as relate to school board, think should allow them to have relationship with school board. 

  Hinson said that made sense.  Then check would be

  Hinson withdrew previous motion, motion to extend 30 days (Holt returned 8:1)

  Green stepped out 8:15

  Holt said laid out everything, give 30 days, W-9, deliverables,

  Knowles asked if bringing back on March 1^st new contract for Board? 

Green returned 8:17

Knowles said what if school board said don’t want any.  Holt said bring back.  Knowles said of

SB does not accept delivery, FCI asking for chance to distribute. 

  M has questions also.  Motion is FCI and County have 30 days to hammer out extension, if SB not interested in units, asking for chance to hand out units.

  Green said brought little clarity.  Extension is for plan.  If SB says no, don’t want County to take responsibility to take delivery.  His asking for extension because after today, no longer reason to have discussion.  Wanted to clarify his reason.

  V asked how they attest as to who receives devices or would be like was before.  Gave XXX to x,w,z

  Hinson said during summer had food cards and same thing.  Board has capability to do that. 

  Green-card program was different

  Hinson said that was County’s heartburn was delivery. 

  V said this Board makes policies.  Execution rests on shoulder of Administrator.  Administrator and staff will be looking at how accountable, not Board.

  Holt said if Hinson would say School Board, will second, but to nothing else.

  Holt move to extend contract for 30 days for administrator to negotiate with School Board.  Motion died for lack of second.

  Hinson motion to extend 30 days to work out kinks-motion died for lack of second.

  V motion to do nothing-Holt said did not have to make motion for that. 

  Hinson motion to extend contract 30 days and have CA or FCI reach out to School Board and negotiate about receiving hotspots/Holt second. 

N no

H yes

H yes

G yes

V no  passed 3-2

  Garrison spoke about private roads. 

  NeSmith stepped out @8:35

  V suggested meeting with CA to make an agenda item.

  NeSmith returned at 8:38PM.

CLERK OF COURT

13.

Updates

   Mr. Thomas gave cash report and details due to email being down. Transportation fund has $2.8million. ARP $1.998k in cash.

  Marcella out @ 8:46pm to ER.

  Mt. Thomas discussing hospital fund and indigent funds.

  V stepped out @?

    Green- total amount of usage able to use to hospital?

  V returned at 8:49 pm

  Dixon- difficulty in paying doctors vs Leon.

   Hinson- breakdown of indigent funds. Mr. Thomas answered- collected 2.2 million in the tax, most ever collected. Paid 645k on the debt, bond of ER. Gad. Co health got 573k, health council $81,120; 240k to CR. Health plan passed in 2008.

  Holt- was passed in 08 for hospital, to reopen. When do the call it back? Mr. Thomas said auditors haven’t.

  fund178- boating improvement $, state asks about. Hinson mentions iron bridge road.

  fund101. $3 to traffic tickets for driving improvement programs.   

COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR

14.

Updates

  next meeting cancelled. Meeting on March 1^st.

  V- improvement/resurfacing of roads.

   Lee approached the board.

  v asked for Pt. Milligan Road update. Lee said it’s out for bid

  hinson- thanked Lee.

  Holt- get an update every 2 week on roads.

  Hinson- progress on senior citizens. Said midway didn’t receive funds. Dixon- have to figure senior citizens out. Having a meeting for SC.

COUNTY ATTORNEY

15.

 Updates

  entered 2^nd opioid settlement. Vacant property ordinances. Section 5300 of LDC.

DISCUSSION ITEMS BY COMMISSIONERS

16.

Report and Discussion of Public Issues

Commissioner Brenda Holt, District 4

  no comments

Commissioner Eric Hinson, District 1

  none

Commissioner Kimblin NeSmith, District 3

  thanks Dixon, for fence repair.  Thanks Hinson, Dixon, Lee

  Hinson- trash price has tripled. 

  need a workshop on goals and objectives regarding finances.

  contracts- legal reps contract? Dixon- due now, will be at next meeting

  v- didn’t know it ended soon. Should have known earlier. Motion to extend, renew, etc.

  holt- we should do it for 6 mos and out to bid. Motion dies.

  hinson- CA 3 year contract? Do same for attorney. Seconded by V.

  holt- suggests for a year because it wasn’t on agenda and has to be advertised.

Passes 4-1, holt no. attorney contract extended 2 years.

Commissioner Ronterious Green, Vice Chair, District 5

  thanks vendors for service day

  rec’d email/call from tuckerson group in regards to payment they didn’t receive. Dixon says there’s been a convo with integrity.

  Thanks clerk and agrees on workshops fort funds. 

  holt- items to be paid.

Commissioner Anthony O. Viegbesie, Chair, District 2

  sympathies to Lee

   Mr. lee came before the Board to thank

Receipt and File

UPCOMING MEETINGS

MOTION TO ADJOURN

   out at 9:38pm.