CALL TO ORDER, INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

  Chair called meeting to order at 6:04 p.m.; Pastor Randy Ross gave the Invocation and Chair led in Pledge of Allegiance.

AMENDMENTS AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA

  No Amendments

Holt/NeSmith 3-0

AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND APPEARANCES

1.

Proclamation Honoring Gadsden County Public Works Week

  Dixon said honoring Public Works tonight.  Public Works employees came forward and Chair Viegbesie read aloud the Proclamation and it was presented to them.

2.

Proclamation Honoring Gadsden County Emergency Medical Services Week

  EMS employees came forward and Chair Viegbesie read aloud the Proclamation for them and it was presented to them.

  Commissioner Hinson appeared by Zoom and wanted to personally congratulate the individuals.

3.

Proclamation Honoring Older Americans 2022 – Gretna

  Chair Viegbesie read aloud the Proclamation.  

4.

Proclamation Honoring Older Americans 2022 – Havana

  Berta Kemp appeared before the Board and the Proclamation was presented to her on behalf of the Havana Senior Citizens.

5.

Presentation from the Boys and Girls Club regarding the Quincy Facility

  Mr. Dixon introduced the above. 

Casey Dennis, CEO, appeared before the Commissioners.  Have a $500,000 donation from Mike May and asking for a match from the County.

  Rebecca Edwards Pustejovsky, Boys and Girls Club Board Member, appeared before the Board and said focus is reach and impact of Club in Gadsden County.

  Sara Mitchell, Trulieve, appeared before the Board and said Trulieve is happy to partner with the Club to offer free summer program membership to Trulieve dependents in Gadsden County and would be approximately 140 children.  Though donations, will help Club purchase back packs and will have toy drives for Christmas season.

  Miles Black appeared before the Board and has been a member since he was 5 years old an told of benefits of being a member.

  Sherrie Simmons, parent, appeared before the Board.  Have found club to be refreshing, innovative and become family.  She’s product of Joe Ferolito and Joey and sorely disappointed that recreation and after-school activities have gone by the wayside in County and City.

  Ms. Shawanna Moye, Gadsden County Area Director of Boys and Girls Club, appeared before the Board to talk about request for stand-alone facility.

  Commissioner Green appeared be Zoom and said he was in support of the Boys and Girls Club.  Was glad to hear the goal was reached. 

  Holt thanked them for the presentation.  Wanted to make sure the Boar workshopped this item to explore all avenues of funding. 

  NeSmith thanked them for coming. 

  Hinson thanked them for the presentation, has been a strong supporter for years. 

  Chair Viegbesie thanked them for their service.    

CONSENT

  Holt/Green 5-0

6.

Ratification Memo

7.

BOCC Meeting/Workshop Minutes:

·         April 19, 2022 Regular Board Meeting

8.

Approval of Funding from the Gadsden County Law Enforcement Education Fund (LEEF) to pay for training for Colonel Bobby Collins to attend the Breath Test Operator Course CJSTC #851

9.

Approval of Funding from the Gadsden County Law Enforcement Education Fund (LEEF) to pay the Annual Membership Fee and SHRM-CP (Certified Professional) Exam Fee for the Human Resources Director

10.

Approval of Funding from the Gadsden County Law Enforcement Education Fund (LEEF) to pay for training for five deputies and investigators to attend the “Statement Analysis Interviewing Techniques” seminar in Tallahassee, Florida

11.

Approval of Signatures for Special Assessment Liens and Rehabilitation Contracts – State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP); Hurricane Housing Repair Program (HHRP); Emergency Repair Program (ER)

12.

Approval of the E911 Rural County Grant Award Agreement for E911 System and MapSAG Annual Support and Maintenance

13.

Satisfaction of Judgement – Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners Waste Service

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 May 17, 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.

  Commissioner NeSmith real aloud the above statement.

   Pastor Willie Gaines, 5775 Ben Bostic Road, Quincy – Community Neighborhood

Appeared before the Board and thanked them for allowing him to speak on behalf of Friendship Community.  One thing that was brought up was the fire hydrants, most non-working or broken.  Suggestions in last meeting for signs regarding litter.  Need speed limit signs.  One of oldest communities in Gadsden County. 

   Tracey Stallworth, 770 Selmar Road – Juneteenth Celebration – appeared before the Board.  Represents Faith in Florida and has Impact Gadsden Interfaith Council and will have Second Annual Juneteenth Celebration.  This year will honor fathers. 

  Janice Harris appeared before the Board.  Asked the Board help get the word out and event will be on Friday, June 17^th from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at the Courthouse.

  NeSmith asked if have produced an electronic or digital flyer and when complete, forward to them.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

14.

First Public Hearing: To receive Comments from the Public on the County’s Community and Economic Development Needs and to Describe how the CDBG Program Can Address and Identify Needs

  Mr. Dixon introduced the above item.

  Justin Stiell, Director of Planning Department, appeared before the Board.  This is the first of two public hearings and he explained the grant.  There will be a second public hearing in June.

  Chair Viegbesie announced this was a public hearing and asked if there were any comments from the audience and there were none.

  Holt asked it to be noted that cities could apply for grants and this would not prohibit them from applying, could be for economic development, street improvements, etc.

GENERAL BUSINESS

15.

Approval of the Gadsden County Jail 2022 Planned Service Agreement

  Mr. Dixon introduced above item.

  Commissioner NeSmith asked if this was annual agreement-yes, is it the same as last year-roughly.

Holt/NeSmith 5-0

16.

Approval of Amendment A1 to the Agreement with the Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners and the Florida Department of Health

  Dixon introduced above item.  Amends contract to add language regarding civil rights into contract.

NeSmith/Green 5-0

17.

Approval and Appointment of AHAC New Committee Members

  Dixon introduced above item.   Have asked for more money and this committee now requires more members and now have added them and before the Board for approval. 

  NeSmith asked term of members.

  Sonya Burns appeared before the Board and said terms are staggered and at discretion of County Commission. 

Holt/NeSmith 5-0

18.

Approval of a Task Order for the Design of a Pavilion for the Gadsden County Recreation and Multipurpose Sports Complex at St. Hebron

  Dixon introduced above item. 

  Commissioner NeSmith had questions; asked if there were design costs-yes.  Asked if there was something unique with this pavilion as there are pavilions in other parks.  Yes, trying to get away from utilitarian pole barn kits.  Is a single pitch pavilion and will be very appealing. 

  Holt asked if will have one for each district, if not, she could not vote for it.

  Dixon said there has been a conversation of making all parks more aesthetically pleasing. 

  Holt said they must do budget in park design for the district.  She said 1 design, 5 buildings.  Still trying to get bathroom in St. John. 

NeSmith/Viegbesie 5-0

CLERK OF COURT

16.

Updates

  No updates

COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR

17.

Updates

  Nothing to report

COUNTY ATTORNEY

18.

 Updates

  Knowles said in-person court reporters are hard to come by and saying that, will have shade meeting Tuesday, May 24^th at 4:00 p.m. and special meeting at 5:00 p.m.

NeSmith/Viegbesie 5-0

Reminded Canvassing Board members need to do training and need certificates.

DISCUSSION ITEMS BY COMMISSIONERS

19.

Report and Discussion of Public Issues

Commissioner Brenda Holt, District 4

  Holt passed out packet to commissioners of invoices for legal fees and was very interested in having in-house legal services.  Asked for copy of current bill.  Think this should be first workshop so know what paying for.  Was going to put motion in today but want them to review documents and will be putting motion in later.

Proclamation for Ethel Armstead/V second  5-0

Received several calls about being unprofessional and not being on task.

Also brought up them going after funding-bringing items to be done and never get done.

Intercommunal travel between Quincy-Tallahassee how can get money for transportation. 

Commissioner Eric Hinson, District 1

  Asked to schedule a budget workshop and wanted to schedule an American Rescue Plan workshop.  Need to look at lobbying.  Asked to increase and at least double amount of what budgeted. 

Commissioner Kimblin NeSmith, District 3

 Commissioner NeSmith apologized to Robbie Jones for not understanding the peanut butter in the jar and apologized for littering him with empty peanut butter jars.

Thanked Dixon and Lee for attention to Tolar Road and the culvert. 

Thanked Mrs. Bradley for the meeting with City of Chattahoochee regarding their upcoming event. 

Was brought to his attention City of Chattahoochee partnering with School Board for an electronic message Board on the grounds of Chattahoochee school. 

Will have an investiture Friday of Circuit Court Judge Tiffany Baker at the Courthouse. 

Asked Commissioners to continue to think about having State of County Address. 

Many of citizens not aware what Commission does.  If could think of creating a Gadsden County Citizens Academy where citizens are taken to enlighten about County government. 

Pleased to have Rosetta Rolle Hylton-Anderson back.

Commissioner Ronterious Green, Vice Chair, District 5

  Commissioner Green was hoping to get schedule for road striping and have had a few complaints, especially on High Bridge Road.

Thanked Mr. Lee and Public Works for assisting on call earlier this week.

Believe there were some Neighborhood Watch signs and wanted an update. 

Dixon said he did not have any updates now and will get with Lee and Steel. 

  Holt asked for update on census-Knowles said he can reach back out to University of Florida that he spoke with earlier.  There was still information they were looking at an was also unfinished data.  Will reach back out tomorrow.

Holt said in process of scheduling meeting with City of Gretna. 

  Dixon said to that point, have received a lot of calls to come to communities. 

Commissioner Anthony O. Viegbesie, Chair, District 2

  Thanked Public Works and EMS for their dedicated service to citizens of County

Asked to name the Swamp Creek Bridge after Rev. Lewis Jackson in his memory.  He was fishing and drowned there doing what he loved.  Asked for motion to name bridge the “Rev. Lewis Jackson” bridge with signs posted at both ends.  Have spoken with FDOT and CRTPA and is County road and could be named such if Board wishes.

NeSmith/Holt 5-0

Motion for Resolution to present for celebration for blessings of longevity for anyone 90+ years.  Eight so far:

Ora Green, Joiner Young, Jennifer McQuaig, Pearlous Murray, Inez Robinson, Jeannette Scott, Crystal Williams, Willie Scott.

NeSmith/Holt 5-0

Receipt and File

UPCOMING MEETINGS

MOTION TO ADJOURN

  Adjourned at 8:15 p.m.