Board of County Commissioners Workshop

To Discuss Gadsden County Local Mitigation Strategy Plan 2022 Update

February 7, 2023 at 4:00 p.m.

Edward J. Butler Governmental Complex

AGENDA

Call to Order, Invocation, Pledge of Allegiance

 Chair Nesmith welcomed everyone to the workshop at 4:02 p.m. Commissioner Green gave the invocation. Chair  Nesmith proceeded with the Pledge of Allegiance of the U.S. flag.

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 11:00 a.m. February 7, 2023. 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.

 Mr. Dixon read the above statement aloud. 

General Business

1. Introduction
Mr. Dixon advised Ms. Keeler, Ms. Whaley, Ms. Heel and Mr. Steel were present to present their plan.

2. Gadsden County Local Mitigation Strategy Plan 2022 Update 

 Ms. Keeler from the Integrity Group presented their presentation. She wanted to give a high-level interview. Following the workshop, there is an item on the agenda for approval. Division of Emergency management. LMS plan was posted on countys website for 10 days. Have received 0 comments. Thanked Tashonda, Candace and Justin. Mr. Anthony assisted her, tech contractor, he added a lot, available on zoom. It was a team, not one individual. She continued with the power point included in the agenda packet.

Planning for Disaster Events Includes: Preparedness, Response, Recovery, Mitigation.

LMS Plans must be updated every five years (federal) and reviewed annually (state). It can be changed as much as they want, as long as they are in compliance.

Commissioner Simpkins stepped out at 4:22 p.m.

Commissioner Simpkins returned at 4:23 p.m.

Original LMS Plan was created in 2009.

5-year LMS Plan update was approved in 2016.

5-year LMS plan update was in process in 2022.

Next 5-year LMS Plan update required in 2027.

Commissioner Holt entered at 4:29 p.m.

LMS Plan – Six Sections to Meet Compliance Requirements:

· Section 1 – Introduction

· Section 2 – Planning Process

· Section 3 – Geography, Demographics, and Land Use

· Section 4 – Hazards, Risk and Vulnerability Assessment

· Section 5 – Mitigation Strategies

· Section 6 – Plan Evaluation, Maintenance and Adoptions

 All municipalities responsible for their own LMS Plan? They pass a resolution. 

 Commissioner Hinson said she answered his question.

 Commissioner Green asked how often do they change the LMS committee and how are they selected? He said it was a great presentation. Ms. Whaley said during the annual meeting, if there are any changes, they send their representative. During annual meeting they can change chairs. Commissioner Nesmith echoed Commissioner Green.

 October 10, 2018 will go down in history due to Hurricane Michael. Did they have an LMS plan. Yes. What impact. 2.4 million dollars due to the plan. Aspects of what they experienced that was not included, just unknown. There were some projects added and some were funded. Approving this will allow to be funded for Ian. Nesmith asked about mitigation fund. Mr. Dixon said the big fund, what Ms. Whaley was talking about. Hazard mitigation funds through the state, each county gets. Used all of 2.4? Reimbursement fund. Who monitors compliance? Ms. Whaley. Deadline for submitting plan? Now. Working on 2022 plan? Resolution will be adopted tonight, plan will .. other plan is expired.

 Holt said commissioners are responsible for EM. FAC Conferences will talk about EM, that’s why they approve grants from them. Meet with EM director, growth director and committee because hurricane season is coming up. Have to have clarity because there are hazardous sites they need to be aware of. Red Cross used to be over it then it went to Sherriff’s department but they are still responsible. Need to schedule a meeting so they can know what’s going on. Chairman will be in charge to sign off on everything.

 How often does committee meet? At least annually. Nothing the board did from getting information in earlier.

 Commissioner Green, in tiers, if they are not impacted, we are awarded some time of funding. What can use those funds for if not affected. Funds can cover any project on elevant project list. Can always add to the list.

 Commissioner Hinson said he noticed they were able to receive funds for ems station.

Green stepped out at 5:02 p.m.

Commissioners took action and moved location. Trying to include ems. Did they ever contact the town of Havana how they can partner with them? Whaley said Havana is always included in elements update. Couple projects on the list. Cannot tell which one, monies from Michael, used generators. They are aware. Have list? Yes. Had meeting with town management. Senator brought it up. Who determines where those fundings goes to? Whaley saud those funds didn’t come from LMS money, that projet was because the requirements said for it to be on the list. All applications for grants approved by the board. Whenn app was submitted, included 2.5, included quincy ems rehab and rehabbing Havana ems. When deo came in and did site visits, when the agreement came to county, put entire amount 2,8 into quincy ems project. Decision made by deo. App approved in 2021 did include those two projects. Funding requested wasn’t sufficient. Hinson thanked for the job doing in GC. Why they waited to the last second for this? This is where all the money is at. Called the money bag. Is chairman responsible to make sure committee meets? Just had to throw that out there.

Green in at 5:07 

 Chair asked how the committee was formed? Whaley said she was vted in to be chair. At every annual meeting they can vote. Members representative from each municipality. Benefit any projects they have. Has former chair of BOCC known about the meetings? Holt has sat in meetings.

 Dixon said they sat with ms whaley, what was happening, shes caught in the middle in the county and sherriff. Prior people didn’t work with her. They surrounded her with everyone to hit all the deadlines. Tortureous process. Who completed previous lms plan. Management experts.

 Simpkins, if county doesn’t have all dirt roads listed, amount of funding.. not through this plan but through recovery funds from an events. Make sure any maintenance on roads and public roads, make sure docs are being kept on the roads. When you file for reimbursement, you have documentation.

 Holt said after COVID and Michael, need hospital. Need some help with that. Liberty just got a lump some of money for add ons to their hospital. 

 Hinson said if the area is located at sheriffs department, they can find funding. TCC owned the sheriffs building, they own it now. Since they own it, are they thinking about refurbishing that? Dixon said no, they are trying to get building built now. Once they leave, its too late. No longer a critical facility. Is it theirs now, or sheriffs. Dixon said em was just law enforcement, now em is more about hurricanes. Logistical nightmares. Bent to help with that. Agreement between sherriff and county how em should be run. Go get certification in em class.

 Chair thanked Whaley for keeping them in the know. He said she has the boards full support.    

Motion to Adjourn

 Adjourned at 5:30 p.m.