Board of County Commissioners
Gadsden County, Florida
Regular Public Meeting
February 21, 2023
6:00 p.m.
Present: Kimblin NeSmith, Chair, District 3
Eric Hinson, Vice-Chair, District 1
Alonzetta Simpkins, District 2
Brenda Holt, District 4
Ronterious “Ron” Green, District 5
Edward J. Dixon, County Administrator
Clayton Knowles, County Attorney
Marcella Blocker, Deputy Clerk
Crystal Jimenez, Deputy Clerk
CALL TO ORDER, INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chair called meeting to order, Commissioner Green gave the Invocation and Chair led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the U. S. Flag.
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AMENDMENTS AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA Dixon asked to pull items 7 & 8 and add Item 8a
Holt/Simpkins 5-0
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AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND APPEARANCES
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CONSENT Holt/Green 5-0
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1. |
Ratification Memo
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2. |
Approval to Accept Reduced Payment for satisfaction of Special Assessment Liens dated February 2, 2015
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3. |
Approval of the Judicial Inquiry System (JIS) Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV)-Access Certification Statement
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ITEMS PULLED FOR DISCUSSION
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CITIZENS REQUESTING TO BE HEARD ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS The Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners welcomes and encourages public participation at all meetings of the Board. Citizens are free to speak for up to three (3) minutes on non-agenda items. Public comments and participation are also encouraged for items on the agenda. Additionally, if you are unable to attend a meeting in person, comments from the Public can also be submitted via email to CitizensToBeHeard@gadsdencountyfl.gov until noon on the date of the meeting. 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. Citizens are further encouraged to participate via Zoom using the credentials on the County’s website. The Board’s meetings are also broadcast live on the Board’s Facebook page. Mr. Dixon read aloud the above statement.
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PUBLIC HEARINGS
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GENERAL BUSINESS
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4. |
Approval of Resolution 2023-005 Grant Budget Amendment for FY 2023 Mr. Dixon introduced the above item and said they were budget amendments to be approved.
Holt/NeSmith
Holt asked for explanation
Chair called for vote 5-0
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5 |
Approval to Accept Proposed Funding Agreement #F0098 from the Florida Division of Emergency Management for Construction of the Emergency Operations Center and Public Safety Complex Mr. Dixon introduced the above item.
Holt/Simpkins 5-0
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6 |
Approval of Budget Amendment 2023-033 to Move Budget from Reserve for Contingency to Purchase Property located at Gadsden County Parcel ID# 3-24-2N-4W-0000-0100-2426 Pat Thomas Parkway Mr. Dixon introduced the above item and said was to move money from Contingency
Holt/NeSmith 5-0
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Pulled
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Pulled
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8a. |
Emergency
Approval of the Non-Profit/Human Services Funding Agreement and Mr. Dixon introduced the above item and stated money was already in the budget to fund them and they were running low in funds.
Holt/Simpkins second with discussion
Green said did not know what funds looked like
Hinson arrived (had been on Zoom)
Dixon said hoped to have agreement finished by next meeting and hopeful additional funds not be needed
Hinson said
thought fair to support other organizations as well as Wellness program.
Said
Chair called for vote 5-0
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CLERK OF COURT
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9. |
Updates Nothing to report
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COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
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10. |
Updates Dixon said was Black History Month and named several activities that will be taking place around town.
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COUNTY ATTORNEY
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11. |
Updates Nothing to report
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DISCUSSION ITEMS BY COMMISSIONERS
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12 |
Report and Discussion of Public Issues
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Commissioner Alonzetta Simpkins, District 2 Thanked staff for movie on Sunday
She invited them to the Carter Parramore academy on Thursday at 9:30 for their Black History program.
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Commissioner Brenda Holt, District 4 Asked for Proclamation for Women in Construction/Green 5-0
Asked to rename Extension Center after Al Lawson
Hinson said there was also Dr. Henry Grant who worked there for over 30 years and was the first black Extension Director
Green asked the proper way to handle the process-Dixon said proper way was to agenda and hold a hearing.
Holt moved to name Extension building after Lawson/Hinson 5-0
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Commissioner Ronterious Green, Chair, District 5 Agreed with Simpkins that Movie night was a success.
Mentioned new school zone lights on Highway 90 at RFM after a child lost their life in an accident there. Asked if a plaque could be placed there. Dixon said would reach out to FDOT regarding that.
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Commissioner Eric Hinson, District 1 Hinson said hoped could have a conversation with RFM regarding the traffic.
Hinson mentioned infrastructure and said was needed. Need to have meetings so can start strategizing.
Asked for a Resolution for Rev. Mose Harris, who’s son passed away. Also for Dr. Gerald Hinson
NeSmith motion/Holt 5-0
Dixon also mentioned that Auburn Ford passed away. Holt asked for Proclamation/NeSmith second 5-0
Green said was glad they mentioned Ford and gave his service time that will be Sunday at 1:00
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Commissioner Kimblin NeSmith, Vice Chair, District 3 NeSmith thanked Commissioners and staff for the movie night.
NeSmith congratulated Green for being honored by the Kingdom Light Tabernacle Church with the African American Trailblazer Innovator of the Year award for 2023.
Thanked him for coming up with idea for movie night.
NeSmith said democracy was the very delicate institution. Must focus on what important in government. Asked for support to create a gallery to honor great women of Gadsden County, FL that have done great things. Asked for workshop between now and June to plan what gallery would look like. Holt said they have to remember in doing these things they were taking staff away from their regular jobs and giving them more assignments. When when when when when when when to an the and you it’s
Holt stepped out at 7:08 p.m.
Holt returned 7:10
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MOTION TO ADJOURN Adjourned 7:10 p.m. |
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