CALL TO ORDER, INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

   Chair called meeting to order at 6:04 p.m., Pastor Matthew Creamer, New Philadelphia Presbyterian Church, appeared before the Board and gave the Invocation.  Chair led in the Pledge of Allegiance.

AMENDMENTS AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA

  Dixon asked to pull Items 4, 5, 16

Chair asked will of Board

Holt/Green  Hinson question

  Hinson said item 16 was Summer Youth and he asked to present and is not an Administrator decision, is a commissioner decision and believes trying to take power from Commissioner.  Want to get in front so kids have adequate time.  V said Dixon said he trying to work with School District

Chair called for vote 4-1 Hinson opposed

  V asked Dixon to work with Hinson with what was submitted before the make sure on next agenda.

AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND APPEARANCES

CONSENT

  Holt/NeSmith

4-1 Hinson opposed

1.

Ratification Memo

2.

Approval of Minutes

·         September 15, 2021 Budget Workshop

·         October 19, 2021-Havana Community Development Corporation Workshop

·         November 2, 2021-BOCC Workshop

·         November 29, 2021-American Rescue Plan Program Workshop

·         January 18, 2022-American Rescue Plan Workshop

·         January 18, 2022-CARES Act Workshop

3.

Ratification of Proclamations

·         Shakerria Allen

·         Sameriyah Bradwell

·         KeMari Cooper

·         Jarvis Rittman

4.

Quincy Annexation of Property located at Pat Thomas Parkway Parcel Number 3-24-2N-4W-0000-00230-0100

Item pulled

5.

Quincy Annexation of Property located at 1730 Pat Thomas Parkway Parcel Number 3-24-2N-4W-0000-00213-0400

Item pulled

6.

Approval of Resolution No. 2022-005 Amending the State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program (SHIP) Local Housing Assistance Plan (Technical Revision) for FY(s) 2020-2021, 2021-2022 and 2022-2023

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 March 15, 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.

  Hinson read aloud above statement.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

GENERAL BUSINESS

7.

Approval of Task Order with Dewberry Engineers, Inc. for the Survey and Design of Spooner Road Resurfacing Project

  Dixon introduced above item.

NeSmith/Holt 5-0

8.

Approval of a Task Order with Dewberry Engineers, Inc. for the Survey and Design of CR 268 (Hardaway Highway) Resurfacing Project

  Dixon introduced above item.

Holt/NeSmith 5-0

9.

CR 161 Point Milligan Road Change Order Number One

  Dixon introduced above item.  Due to design change

 Holt/V 5-0

10.

Potter Woodberry Road Change Order Number One

  Dixon introduced above item.  Also due to addition of guardrail.

Holt/V 5-0

11.

Approval of Cochran Road Supplemental Agreement and Change Order

  Dixon introduced above item.  Upon construction, it was determined that additional work that needed to be done and change order was done; needs to be nullified and new change order needs to be approved in amount of $39,301.

  Holt asked if fiscal impact and Dixon stated no fiscal impact to county.

  Justin Ford appeared before Board and said wanted to back up to the previous two items.  There were under runs on both projects and unlikely that any money will have to come out of counties pockets.  

  NeSmith asked if reason why guardrails were missed-he explained. 

  Holt said did not want to sacrifice safety.

Holt/NeSmith 5-0

12.

LAP Multi-Project CEI Agreement

  Dixon introduced above item. 

Hinson/Holt 5-0

13.

Approval of the Mosquito Control Budget FY 2021-2022

  Dixon introduced the above item

Holt/Green Hinson question

When  Hinson said have strong mosquitos present.  Asked how to get in touch with them-875-8672 & can leave voicemail with address and phone number.  Have to call if want to be sprayed.  Asked what cities can go into.

  Curtis Young appeared before the Board.  Said they cover parts of Greensboro, all cities.  Have interlocal agreement with cities

Chair called for vote 5-0

14.

Approval of the Agreement with Siemens Industries to Provide Life Safety Measures at the Capital Regional Medical Center-Gadsden Campus

  Dixon introduced above item.

Hot/V 5-0

  Hinson asked about mental health. 

Dixon said mental challenges were out there before and COVID did not help.

15.

Community Development Block Grant-DR/EMS Quincy Site

   Dixon introduced above item. 

Holt/NeSmith 5-0

16.

Gadsden County Summer Youth Program

Item Pulled

CLERK OF COURT

17.

Updates

  Clerk said wanted to follow up on last meeting.  Dixon came to see him and wanted to express how important was to have records center, however house records for everybody.  Historical records going back to 1800’s.  Understand interested in having green space and have half block that can use for that.  Record center has to be able to withstand hurricanes, have climate control, would love to have new records center but not sure they were up for all that.  HVAC system needs to be improved….

Wanted to stress importance of center.

Green asked if could include estimate in his budget.  Clerk said was their Staff’s responsibility to do that. 

Dixon wanted to echo Clerk’s sentiments.  Sure, piling records in there and sure old jail not best place, Clerk said not best place but only place. 

  Holt asked if Clerk would be amenable to new building and he said sure. 

  NeSmith asked who maintains building.  A representative from Clerk’s Office in charge of records and he explained. 

  Clerk wanted to follow up from last meeting-knew Dixon talked might be money coming in by solicitations-all provided has been $1,000.  Do think problematic to solicit from vendors that does business with County.   Wanted to be on record about money part. 

  V said after last meeting, he and Administrator made sure was not breaking any laws.  If any money received, has been returned.  V said County will return every penny received from any such solicitation. 

  Hinson wanted to clarify…

Clerk said as custodian of County funds, if anyone received $ on behalf of County, funds should be turned over to County Finance. 

COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR

18.

Updates

  Dixon said all know Legislature has shut down and gone home.  As a group, decided on strategy

  V said was going to wait until his comment but will go ahead and share.  Commended Lawson and Associates because they worked very diligently on County’s behalf.  Received approximately $8.6 million for local projects for county; two million dollars for expansion of land for recreation center; $4.6 million for Stevens school disaster shelter; $1.7 million for Gadsden County school district for FCC emergency connectivity funds for broadband; Robert F. Munroe $23,200 for connectivity; $100,000 to Chattahoochee water system; $435,000 to Gretna for water meter; $750,000 to Neighborhood Medical in Havana; $10,000 to emergency operations center; $500,000 to Midway street lights; $86,000 to Chattahoochee police station communications; $720,000 to MK prevention program for Leon County and Gadsden County.  There’s also further money coming that has not been broken down as to how much goes to what.  Also getting $10 Million for Sheriff EOC building

  Hinson said have majority of information and asked it be sent to them. 

  NeSmith asked if $10 Million for Sheriff EOC separate from County-yes.  He asked about County Commission Building-Dixon said did not miss mark, should not be upset about what don’t have

  Hinson said over years, one of easiest things to apply for is Courthouse. 

  NeSmith asked how long been holding onto that information.

COUNTY ATTORNEY

19.

 Updates

 Knowles said they heard updates in Shade Meeting.  When Board ready, they are ready for heir property workshop. 

 Dixon said will write up prelim on that because see it as part of housing program. 

 Holt said need workshop on how to write up deeds because being done incorrectly. 

 Hinson said need that.  FAMU offered that years ago.  Can’t do a lot of homes in SHIP program because of heir property. 

 Knowles said they have standard deed forms and can see if can post on website. 

DISCUSSION ITEMS BY COMMISSIONERS

20.

Report and Discussion of Public Issues

Commissioner Brenda Holt, District 4

 Wanted to thank lobbyists, senators, etc.  did good job, may not have brought home what wanted but brought home better than what been getting.  Need to look at what County needs in facilities.  If have emergency and need to move people, do not have facility to move to.

Commissioner Eric Hinson, District 1

 Hinson said spoke with President of TCC and said already own TCC building.  was already committed

 Meeks said TCC did give building to Board last year.

 Hinson said received letter today from FCI.  Knowles said forwarded email after receiving it. 

This contract starts out at square one, takes out many of the terms previously negotiated and direction will be up to Board.  Currently have no contract with FCI.  Hinson said would like to look at language and bring back in two weeks. 

 Hinson said have not received public records request.  Wants it in email format. 

 V stepped out at 7:15 p.m.

Knowles said gave to Myron to put in format and get to him.

 Hinson asked them to think about this, heard testimony of people with housing.  Out of ones that showed up, 3-4 had issues walking and need money for ramps.  Used to have $20,000 that went to each commissioner

 V returned at 7:18 p.m.

Holt asked if wanted to schedule workshop-yes, want to schedule workshop for emergency housing. 

Commissioner Kimblin NeSmith, District 3

 Already discussed many comments was going to make.  Administrator already mentioned monies received from legislature.  He mentioned St. John’s county received $56,000,000 and Gadsden received approximately $19,000,000.

Dixon said not just money thing, just keep working hard.  He asked in comparison to what received last year, up or down-way up.

Looking forward to housing workshop. 

Wakulla County been on news celebrating and next year Gadsden turns 200 years.  Dixon said on radar.  NeSmith said in month 4 and still have not established goals and objections.

 Hinson said curious, mandatory that Commissioners be present, is it mandatory that attorney be present at workshops.  Holt said no.  Hinson said he could appear on Zoom.  NeSmith asked if required for turning to be present at workshops and V said not required.  Dixon said was board rules.  Attorney Is present to make sure the path they are going is the path that they would not be violating anything and he serves is parliamentarian.  He added he would encourage the legal advice of what they could and could not legally do.

 Green said on point to attorney not being there, they were when not making policies and not voting, when presented at public meeting, could it be presented then?  

 Holt said since discussing things she asked for a workshop for, attorney presence not required, when look at costs already occurred, could have hired full time attorney.  Think need to look at what in contract from law firm, what had in past and what willing to pay.  Compare and amounts are enormous for small county.

 Hinson said must keep in mind this is unprecedented times have been in since Hurricane Michael and now COVID.  Can’t compare last five years to past year or two. 

 Holt said can go to Walmart and want to buy something and not have enough money, make adjustments. 

  Dixon said got excited and FCI document came along with document with Gadsden Senior Services.  Met today and they talked about leadership board has shown and wanted to ask Board to partner with them. 

 Hinson said had question on point-have other senior centers received funds-believe so.   

Commissioner Ronterious Green, Vice Chair, District 5

 Green said has been great meeting and thanked Administrator for working so hard.  Had opportunity to look at list earlier today.

 Next Tuesday will partner with Sheriff for neighborhood watch program at Ingram’s Marina and trying to go through entire district making people informed about program.  

 Wanted Proclamation for Cecelia (?) Madry who has served Gadsden County for 32 years/Hinson 5-0

 In moment of Spring Break and wanted to make sure all kids safe. 

Commissioner Anthony O. Viegbesie, Chair, District 2

 V echoed sentiments Holt said.  One thing heard at capitol was lack of dysfunctional confrontations coming from Board and if can continue the behavior of unity, will be able to get more

 Hinson said like him on that deal, when go to State Capitol, County is team. 

 V requested for Resolution of Accommodation for Robert Johnson or Milton Thomas, 5-0

Receipt and File

UPCOMING MEETINGS

MOTION TO ADJOURN

  Adjourned at 7:48 p.m.