CALL TO ORDER, INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

  Chair welcomed everyone and called meeting to order at 6:02 p.m., Vice Chair Green gave the Invocation, then led in Pledge of Allegiance

AMENDMENTS AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA

  Have 2 items to add-Gadsden Senior Services added as 2a and Commissioner Hinson submitted an Item that will be 18a.

Commissioner Holt asked for discussion for clarification regarding Figgers Contract-can be done under her comments.

Green/Holt 5-0

AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND APPEARANCES

1.

Rural Opioid Technical Assistance Program (ROTA) Presentation

Speaker not present

2.

Second Harvest of the Big Bend Food Bank Presentation

  Shari Hubbard, Second Harvest, appeared before the Board and wanted to discuss the services they provide.

2a.

Gadsden Senior Services

  Reggie Cunningham appeared before the Board and said they have operated since 1974 in the Simon Scott facility.   Only service approximately 15% of the elderly population.  Here now to initiate a partnership with the BOCC to better help the seniors.  He said their agency was the lead agency for the County. 

V said they were very grateful for what the Senior Services Center has done for the seniors. 

  Holt thanked them for bringing this item.  

CONSENT

  Green/Holt 5-0

3.

Ratification Memo

4.

Approval of Minutes

·         March 25, 2021-Emergency Special Meeting

·         March 1, 2022 – Regular Meeting

·         March 15, 2022-Regular Meeting

5.

Approval and Signature for Satisfaction of Special Assessment Lien

6.

Project Safe Neighborhoods Seminar

7.

Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office Recruitment and Community Promotional Items

8.

International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training 2022

9.

Approval of Addendum #1 to the Lease Purchase Agreement Between the GCBOCC and Leasing 2, Inc.

10.

Approval of a Letter of Support for the Apalachee Regional Planning Council (ARPC) Making Application to the Florida Department of Economic Development (DEO)

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 April 5, 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.

  NeSmith read the statement aloud.

Shari Hubbard, Second Harvest

   Pastor Willie Gaines, 5775 Ben Bostick Road, Quincy, FL appeared before the Board.  Have noticed a lot of things in community that have been overlooked, were undone and have created a committee that meets first Saturday of every month.  A lot of things needed and one is speed bump on Frank Jackson Road.  Have been working on street lights for Obama Road, speed bumps and need speed limit sign on road. 

V said they have discussed street lights and speed bumps.  He asked he work with the Administrator.

Holt thanked him for discussing some of these issues.  Need to establish a crime watch there.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

GENERAL BUSINESS

11.

Havana Middle School Sidewalk LAP Agreement

Green/Holt 5-0

12.

Willacoochee Creek SCOP Construction Bid Award

Holt/Green 5-0

13.

Willacoochee Supplemental Agreement

  Green/Holt 5-0

14.

Point Milligan Supplemental Agreement

Green/Holt 5-0

15.

James Edward Butler Building Elevator Modernization

  Dixon introduced above item.

Holt/NeSmith 5-0

  Hinson asked reason to be explained.  Dixon said codes been updated and have to be completed by December 31, 2023.

  NeSmith asked along with this, is there a maintenance plan-yes.

16.

Approval of Value Adjustment Board Members

  Dixon introduced above item. 

Holt/Green motion to approve the 3 individuals  5-0

17.

Update of the 2022 Summer Youth Employment Opportunities & Initiative Program

  Dixon introduced above item.  Program has been dropped to 14-18 and youth will earn minimum wage of $10/hr. depending on training laid out.  Are actively working with School District and attempting to marry work programs in schools so do not have difficulty had last year.  Looking to bring in at least 100 kids and looking to sprinkle throughout government.   If provide more money will attempt to engage more students.

  Green said date for applications have started.  

Said was presented for discussion, did not think required any action.  Knowles asked what was budgeted for it, was the budget sufficient?  If not, may need to bring it back.  Dixon said based on budget have now.  If going to make an action item with budgetary change, need to be rescheduled.  If no change, no action needs to be taken.

  Hinson said anything that affects the budget over $25,000 must be advertised.

  NeSmith asked if advertising something?  Knowles said this does not change the budget, was approved in budget for 2021-2022. 

  Green asked what was in budget and budget was advertised, why does it need to be re-advertised?  Budget been approved with this line item.

  Ms. Daniels wanted to reiterate what attorney said.  $150,000 was previously approved in the budget process and was an increase over last year.    If they decide to add to that, they will have to instruct staff where to take money from and if outside what already allocated, would have to advertise.

  Holt said that was correct. 

  Hinson asked why not go to 125 kids.  V asked if was possible to increase from $150,000.  Dixon said if have more than 100 kids that want to work, will come back before the Board to request more money. 

  V said maybe memory not serving him correctly, cannot recall what funding they had last year, was it rolled over? 

  Green said wanted to be clear, all agree want to make sure provide for youth in County.  If go over the 100 kids, will bring back to Board for approval. 

  Holt said for the people that made comments that the BOCC does not support youth, they started this program years earlier. 

18.

Approval of Work Authorization Number 2022-011 with The Integrity Group, Inc. to Update the County’s 2016 Local Mitigation Strategy Plan

  Dixon introduced above item.

  Tashonda Whaley appeared before the Board.  This plan is required by all local governments by federal government to receive any funds. 

Holt/Green 5-0

18a

Discussion of the FY22 Summer Youth Program

  Dixon introduced this item.

  Hinson said this was for discussion and was requesting $300,000 for employment of 250 youth for up to 6 weeks. 

V asked him what he wanted to do.

  Hinson said had few options and listed them

  Hinson motion to approve 250 kids-motion died for lack of second. 

CLERK OF COURT

19.

Updates

  Nothing to report

COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR

20.

Updates

  Dixon said bulky item pickup starts this month in each of the districts. 

Have list of requested workshops, would like the commissioners to prioritize them and get list back to Administrator.

V suggested if could individually prioritize and get to Administrator and let him sum up and address

  V said Economic development would not be a workshop, would be more of a retreat.  Goals and objectives not something can do in 1 hour. 

  Holt asked if this included all requests?  She requested law firm and all contracts and that was not an agenda item when they voted on it. 

V said heard legal services and comp plan. 

Green said thought had trip already planned, not yet. 

  NeSmith said to add what Holt said, maybe could add to bottom what other workshops want to add. 

  Dixon said procurement will be internally.  Need to revamp that policy.

  NeSmith said seems like having goals and objective discussion right now.

COUNTY ATTORNEY

21.

 Updates

  Knowles said to bring her up to speed on FCI, received message from Moskowitz on 2/1, was unable to meet while he was in town, received call from Levi Williams on 2/23, spoke briefly and asked to send information and was provided on 3/1.  On March 15^th they responded with proposed document. 

V returned at 7:47 p.m.

  Hinson asked attorney to start back in February.  Knowles said received call on 2/23 from Levi Williams.  Received revised contract on 3/15. 

  V asked if any reason why he has not received his public records request.  Dixon said County attorney was handling that.

  Holt said this was her item and did not intend to have comments from attorney or anyone else.  Wanted to know if received contract or any communication before 3/1 and there was not.  No reason to debate something that not agendaed.   

DISCUSSION ITEMS BY COMMISSIONERS

22.

Report and Discussion of Public Issues

Commissioner Brenda Holt, District 4

  Holt said need to know about striping. 

Was working on several projects before Dixon came on 1) Massey Building; Mobile unit is in purchasing, bids came in way too high and had to go back and redo.  Have gotten to agree upon number.  Monument-discussed placement today and looking at structure and pushing through.  Should have finals by next meeting.  Had call about shelter-

Asked attorney about Clerk’s statement about companies giving donations

Work program-has school system applied for any funds

Commissioner Eric Hinson, District 1

  Asked when will start budget process-have begun internally-will be within next month. 

When will start having workshops on ARP?  Dixon said money should come in sometime in May according to Representative. 

Figgers Communication-wants to bring back to Board at next meeting since have contract.

Commissioner Kimblin NeSmith, District 3

  NeSmith said understood had power outage-Daniels said had surge.  NeSmith asked if have generator-been ordered with 22-week ETA.  Road signs

Thanked staff for new spirit of recognizing staff.  Asked to have an electronic board placed permanently on Courthouse square

Commissioner Ronterious Green, Vice Chair, District 5

  Green said had great time in recognizing employees. 

Thanked Ms. Sarah and Ms. Ingrams for hosting neighborhood watch meeting.  Thanked Sheriff’s Office to attending. 

Asked Dixon about situation on Old Federal Road regarding cars on property.  Dixon said Mr. Stiell has taken charge of that and going through the Land Development Code.  This is same owner that has “car yard” in Chattahoochee. 

Regarding Neighborhood Watch program, one thing asking for is signage.  That neighborhood has started being active. 

EMS-had couple of calls in reference to policies determining what hospital to take patients.  Would like to have policies and procedures workshop.  Next week is National Public Safety Dispatchers Week.  The Greenery will be feeding the dispatchers on Monday and hoped the County could partner. 

Green asked for Resolution for Dispatchers/NeSmith second 5-0

Encouraged parents to make sure students got proper rest and nourishment for upcoming FST testing.

Commissioner Anthony O. Viegbesie, Chair, District 2

  V echoed comments of other commissioners. 

Its National Library Week. 

  NeSmith said meant to thank the Sheriff, Col. Collins and Barkley.  Came to Rotary Meeting.

Receipt and File

UPCOMING MEETINGS

MOTION TO ADJOURN

Adjourned at 8:42 p.m.