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Board of County Commissioners Meeting Agenda
November 15, 2022 at 6:00 PM
Edward J. Butler Governmental Complex


Present:              Ronterious “Ron” Green, District 5

                                Kimblin NeSmith, Chair, District 3

                                Eric Hinson, Vice Chair, District 1

                                Alonzetta Simpkins, District 2

                                Brenda Holt, District 4

                                Edward J. Dixon, County Administrator

                                Clayton Knowles, County Attorney

                                Marcella Blocker, Deputy Clerk

                                Crystal Jimenez, Deputy Clerk

 

Swearing in of Newly Elected District 2 Commissioner, Alonzetta Simpkins and
Re-elected District 4 Commissioner, Brenda Holt
(The Honorable Judge Kathy Garner)


Call to Order, Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

  Chair Green welcomed everyone to the meeting at 5:53 pm to start the introduction of the new Commissioner, Alonzetta Simpkins.

He stated that he loves constructive criticism. He asked Ms. Simpkins to address her family. Ms. Simpkins spoke and thanked her family for being with her.

He asked Commissioner Holt to speak.

 

    Commissioner Holt thanked everyone for attending. She appreciates everything they do. She thanked them for bringing Ms. Simpkins to them. She appreciates all the votes.

 

  Chair Green officially called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. Invocation was done by Reverend Alvin Bush. Led to the Pledge of Allegiance of the U.S. Flag.

 

  Judge Garner welcomed everyone and continued with swearing in Alonzetta Simpkins and sitting Commissioner Brenda Holt.   

 

Amendments and Approval of Agenda

   Mr. Dixon said no amendments.

Holt/Nesmith 5-0

Reorganization of the Board

1.     Election of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman
       (Edward J. Dixon, County Administrator)

  Commissioner Holt nominates Commissioner Green for Chair. Commissioner Hinson nominated Commissioner Nesmith.

 

Votes for Commissioner Nesmith:

Holt                 NO

Green              NO

Hinson             YES

Simpkins         YES

Hinson             YES

 

3-2 for Commissioner Nesmith to be Chairman.

 

Commissioner Nesmith took his seat as Chairman.

 

  Commissioner Nesmith thanked everyone.

Commissioner Nesmith opened the floor for Vice Chair nominations.

Commissioner Holt nominated Commissioner Green.

Commissioner Nesmith nominated Commissioner Hinson.

 

Votes for Commissioner Hinson:

Holt                  NO

Simpkins         YES

Hinson             YES

Green              NO

Nesmith           YES

 

3-2 for Commissioner Hinson to be Vice Chairman.

 

Awards, Presentations and Appearances

2.     Proclamation Honoring Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
        (Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners)

  President Davis appeared with the women from Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Chair Nesmith presented the Proclamation. Attorney Davis thanked the board for honoring them on their centennial year.

 

  Chair Nesmith asked Dr. Franklin to come forward to speak. Dr. Franklin, newly elected State representative spoke. He stated that economic development happens from a regional perspective.

 

Consent

   Holt/Nesmith

Hinson would like to pull #9.

Carried 5-0

3.     Ratification Memo
        (Clerk of Court)

4.     BOCC Meeting/Workshop Minutes:
         
a.   October 4, 2022 – Regular Meeting
         
b.   October 18, 2022 – Regular Meeting  

5.     Approval of the 2023 Holiday Schedule
        (Edward J. Dixon, County Administrator)

6.     Approval of the 2023 BOCC Meeting Calendar
        (Edward J. Dixon, County Administrator)

7.     Approval of Library Annual Plan of Service 2022-2023
       (Edward J. Dixon, County Administrator/Tabitha D. Washington, Library Services Director)

8.     Gadsden County EMS Award Grant
        (Edward J. Dixon, County Administrator)

9.     Palm Beach County Ambulance Donation
        (Edward J. Dixon, County Administrator/Kris Hood, EMS Director)

Items Pulled for Discussion

 

Palm Beach County Ambulance Donation

  Mr. Dixon said specialty vehicles are on worldwide back order. Their ambulances started experiencing wear and tear. Reached out to palm beach, agreement requires to keep in service 7 ambulance with 2 for backups. They offered to send 2 units for free to stabilize force until they can get ambulances in. It’s counties helping counties. Commissioner Hinson asked him to expound on what happened last week. Mr. Dixon said they received 2 new units in they been waiting almost a year for. Board turned ambulances over to the EMS and Chief Hood.

 

Citizens Requesting to be Heard on Non Agenda Items (3-minute limit)

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 November 15, 2022. Comments submitted after the deadline, but prior to the meeting, will be added to the official record; however, the County cannot guarantee that Commissioners and staff will have adequate time to review comments prior to the meeting.

   Chair Nesmith read aloud the above statement.

 

No citizens to be heard.

Public Hearings   

  

General Business

10.    Approval to Allocate Funding From the Reserve for Contingency to Purchase Property Located at Gadsden County Parcel ID# 3-24-2N-4W-0000-00311-0000
        (Edward J. Dixon, County Administrator)

  Mr. Dixon presented the above item. Representative Gallop spoke of economic development and investment. Opportunity for county to invest in acreage. City doesn’t have water pressure in certain places. They were donated 20 acres by the City of Quincy. They have already invested $20,000 to look at the property. They are looking for shovel ready situations. Appraisal has come in over $100,000 more than the asking price. Purchase of property $750,000.

 

  Commissioner Nesmith said they have been talking about economic development and been talking about this property for months.

 

  Commissioner Hinson said fiscal impact says TBD. He asked who did the appraisal? Mr. Dixon said they had to hire a third party, Curety Johnson and Associates, LLC. Commissioner Hinson said they talked about it but didn’t figure out the “why”. He stated that someone said the price was $750,000 and now it is up to $865,000. What is their “why” to purchasing the property. Look at all areas first and do a need assessment. Determine then where they need to put it. Hard to make that investment without knowing why. Commissioner Hinson asked for a workshop for the why and the exact amount. He said they should put the money on infrastructure instead.

 

  Commissioner Nesmith asked Mr. Dixon if they are under contract. Mr. Dixon had to get an appraisal to know what value it was.

 

  Commissioner Green said he agrees with Commissioner Hinson. They should consider more than one appraisal. Likes the concept of the possibilities of being out there. May not feel that that’s the best place. He wants to make sure they are seeing all the possibilities that are out in the county before they make an investment of $750,000.     

 

  Commissioner Nesmith asked for the timeframe. Mr. Dixon said owner did appraiser but they did their own. So, there are 2 appraisals out there. They have spent millions of dollars every year on maintenance for old buildings and they have 52 of them.   

 

  Attorney Knowles said purchase option was done for $20,000. They got an extension. They can use any legally prescribed method they want to use. They are within the law, not at the purchase point yet. They can get another appraisal. They do have a good seller. Commissioner Nesmith wanted to be clear that this is just a motion to authorize them to start discussion for a purchase price.

 

  Commissioner Simpkins said on the report, was this the appraisal report? It says it’s for the sole purpose of assisting a client. Mr. Dixon said this is their appraisal. She said looking at the property component itself, a large amount of the appraisal is the body shop, which was $350,000. She would like to see a plan. Mr. Dixon said there’s a body shop already on the property, another vendor and housing on the property. Those leases will continue, until the board decides otherwise, as they develop the real plan. Commissioner Simpkins said down from the property, there is state property. Have they looked into it? Mr. Dixon said they have had gentle conversations. It is an opportunity. They have grand opportunities there that are coming along as they speak.

 

  Commissioner Nesmith wanted to remind them, whatever amount they negotiate, has to come back before the board. They can have workshops and additional meetings.

 

  Commissioner Holt said anything along i10 will have a price tag on it. Nothing is cheap. Companies are not going to come if they don’t have land. Pipes have to be in the ground, if not they will get outbidded. Have to buy property. 3 comparable should have been done in this appraisal. These points should have been brought to the administrator before this meeting. This is a negotiation of the prices, not a sale. Need to move on and need to look at getting a grants coordinator.

 

  Commissioner Nesmith confirmed they are working on grants and Commissioner Holt said a coordinator as well.  

 

  Commissioner Green said if the county was to purchase that property, that value probably would increase more than what it is now. If they get property and do ground work, would be appraised for more in 10 years.

 

  Commissioner Hinson said he was perplexed. Need to buy land but need to do it the right way. He said agenda request says, if it is approved, they are going to purchase and not coming back to them again. He’s not against buying, but make it make sense. In regards to state property, if they can be good partners with the University of Florida, they may say they have a 99-year lease on land for free. They may have options to look at.

 

  Commissioner Nesmith said they can make a motion to authorize the administrator to start negotiation process.

Commissioner Holt made motion to approve option #1/Green.

Commissioner Hinson said to make sure they recognize the motion says “approve to allocate funding”. Commissioner Holt said it says to allocate funding, not purchasing anything, they are moving money out of contingency.

 

  Attorney Knowles said section 2-213 requires to come back to board. Mr. Dixon said if dealing with these negotiations, good faith is important. Request simply says they are interested.

 

  Commissioner Green said he was going to ask attorney the same thing.

 

  Commissioner Hinson said if approved, the language is not on there. Seller says once it gives permission, it doesn’t say what the attorney said. He said what’s the rush? Do workshop and fix the language. Doesn’t say that it will come back for a public hearing.

 

  Commissioner Holt said the request says to approve to allocate funding, that’s moving money from one account to another? Mr. Dixon said there is no number there because no negotiation has taken place. In any negotiation, you have a buyer and seller. It has to come back to the board, whether it is written or not.

 

  Commissioner Simpkins asked with allocating the funds, since there is no amount there, what are they transferring? Mr. Dixon said they don’t know. She asked when would it be determined? Mr. Dixon said if they can agree on a purchase price. Commissioner Simpkins asked at what point are they allocating the funds? She asked are they only identifying some funds. Mr. Dixon said yes.

 

  Commissioner Hinson said it is called public trust. He said if the wording is not in the motion, then it won’t come back before Board.   

 

  Commissioner Green asked if there is an ordinance that says that they have to have public hearing automatically? Attorney Knowles said it is required to bring it back for public hearing. He advised to tweak motion.

 

  Chair Nesmith asked Commissioner Holt to amend her motion to include whatever purchase price is negotiated between the administrator and the seller, come back before commissioners in public hearing. Commissioner Holt amend motion as stated, amend contingent upon coming back to the board for approval in a public hearing/Green amended second. 5-0         

11.    Approval of the Audit Engagement Letter
       (Edward J. Dixon, County Administrator)

  Green/Holt

Commissioner Nesmith asked they have utilized accounting firm for how long? Mr. Dixon said forever, it should change up. Commissioner Nesmith asked if they submitted RFP? Mr. Dixon said no, due to everything being late. The request is for 2 years. Commissioner Holt said it’s been in and out. When they have another firm come in, do it for 2 years. They need to look at accounts they have questions about.

  Commissioner Green asked that they make sure they have the RFP, in the future, earlier, so they have other options in a timely manner. Commissioner Hinson said if they can get all the contracts and see the dates.

5-0  

Clerk of Court

12.    Updates
        (Nicholas Thomas, Clerk)

  No updates.

County Administrator

13.   Updates
       (Edward J. Dixon, County Administrator)

   Mr. Dixon congratulated Commissioner Nesmith. Thanked everyone for Veterans Day. Next week is Thanksgiving. They also have the FACT Conference. For legislative day, any ideas could be brought forward. Been in negotiation with Ballard for next meeting.

County Attorney

14.    Updates

        (Clayton Knowles, Esq., County Attorney)

  Congratulated Commissioner Simpkins. Dec 6th, another $44,000 in opioid settlement from Walmart. Wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

Commissioner Nesmith recognized Colonel Collins. Colonel Collins congratulated Commissioner Simpkins and Commissioner Holt.

Discussion Items by Commissioners

15.    Commissioner Eric F. Hinson, District 1

  Congratulated Commissioner Simpkins and Commissioner Holt. Asked for everyone to pray. Just do what’s right. Mental health is prevalent, especially in the youth. Went to a meeting, they stated that outdoors activities can help stimulate kid’s minds. Need to do more of that. They need to bring a community center in Havana and Sawdust.

 

Commissioner Green returned at 7:54 pm.

 

Schedule a meeting on the community center on the west and east side of town.

 

Commissioner Alonzetta Simpkins, District 2

  Thanked everyone for allowing her to sit with them. Ditto the county administrator. Event was nice. Agreed to put infrastructure in place to move in the direction they want. Agreed mental health is real, is die hard for the youth. Wished everyone a great Thanksgiving.

 

Commissioner Brenda A. Holt, District 4

  Commissioner Holt congratulated Commissioner Simpkins. Said they need to continue being brief so people don’t walk out on them. Get aggressive on economic development. Don’t have land, don’t have anything. Need to start negotiation.

 

 

Commissioner Ronterious Green, District 5

  Congratulated Simpkins, chair and vice chair. Recognized his aid, Nick Frison. Had questions for Mr. Lee. Jim Williams road, talked about uplifting. Wanted to see what the process was. Mr. Dixon said he will check tomorrow. Asked if he can speak to Mr. Steele. Asked the status on planning and zoning board. When is the last time they had a meeting? Mr. Steele doesn’t have exact date, thinks it was June. Commissioner Green asked how often do they meet? Mr. Steele said once a month. Commissioner Green said they all selected people on that board. Doesn’t want to embarrass anyone but wants to make sure they are communicating. He wants them to get back in the flow of having meetings. Mr. Dixon said they discussed planning and zoning, looking into getting more members, don’t always have quorum. Commissioner Nesmith asked about policy, is there a statement that say if they miss so many days, they can move in a different direction? Mr. Steele said if members are not showing up, they would notify that commissioner, after missing 2 meetings.

Commissioner Green said December 2nd is the Christmas parade. Staff is preparing them to be a part of the parade. December 17th , Lake Talquin will have Christmas parade. Asked to be the grand marshal of that parade. Asked Mr. Dixon for foundation of senior services. Coming in quickly, updates? Mr. Dixon said tomorrow or next day. Commissioner Green asked about the adoption of road process. Wants it emailed to him, process of the adoption of roads. Commissioner Green made motion for a proclamation for Dexter Jackson that is now a part of the Florida Hall of Fame since he is from Gadsden County/Holt.

5-0

Commissioner Green said November 18th , at 2pm Riverchase will be hosting Alzheimer’s walk. Would like to see more involvement with their facility. They have a new director and have a welcoming with her. They have had a turnover.

 

  Commissioner Holt said on planning and zoning board, need to provide training and workshops. May require funding, they deserve stipend because they are working for free. Mr. Dixon said it may be the hardest job. It is difficult to be a planning and zoning professional.

 

Commissioner Kimblin E. Nesmith, J.D., District 3

  Asked commissioners to complete evaluations on administrator this week. Human resource has only received one. Commissioner Holt said she completed hers. He thanked administrator for the veteran’s day program. It was fantastic and close to running out of food and other items. Entering legislative season, met with all municipalities? Mr. Dixon said not yet. They have a project with City of Midway. Commissioner Nesmith thanked administrator for broadband workshop. Who schedules meeting with legislative team? Mr. Dixon said they wait for them to be sworn in. This time they probably won’t. When they organize, will invite them in. Need to be ahead of that process. Thanked Commissioner Green for mentioning Riverchase. Asked Mr. Dixon to email dates. Congratulated Nick Frison on becoming Commissioner Green’s aid. He said Frison was the first president of the law academy class. He is like a son to him; he watched him grow and mature.

 

Greenlight moment: “A flower does not think about competing with the flower next to it, it just blooms. In other words, we are on this Dias together, and no matter what choices we make or disagree with, we are not competing with each other. We are working together so that we can bloom together in this County.”

 

Motion to Adjourn

  Adjourned at 8:27 pm.

 

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