Call to Order, Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

  Chair called meeting to order, gave invocation and led in Pledge of Allegiance.

Amendments and Approval of Agenda

  Pull Item 3 and 5 for discussion; add Item 5a under general business

Holt motion to approve /Simpkins

Withdrew motion and second

Holt motion to approve with addition of Item 5a/Simpkins second

5-0

Awards, Presentations and Appearances

  Green motion to honor Coach Willie Simmons /Simpkins

5-0

CONSENT

  Dixon said Holt asked Item 3 pulled for discussion and Simpkins asked for item 5

Holt motion to approve/NeSmith  5-0

1.

Ratification Memo

2.

Approval of the 2024 Board of County Commissioners Meeting Calendar

3.

Approval of a Resolution Ratifying Staff Submission of a Grant Application to the Florida Department of Commerce’s Rural Infrastructure Fund Seeking Funds to Create an Arts and Cultural Map and Story Board and to Partner with the ARPC

 Item pulled for discussion

4.

Approval of the Department of Health County Awards Grant Application and Resolution 2023-043

5.

Approval of the Granicus Intranet Proposal No. Q-308712

Pulled for Discussion

ITEMS PULLED FOR DISCUSSION

3.

Approval of a Resolution Ratifying Staff Submission of a Grant Application to the Florida Department of Commerce’s Rural Infrastructure Fund Seeking Funds to Create an Arts and Cultural Map and Story Board and to Partner with the ARPC

  Dixon introduced

Holt said in favor of this

NeSmith stated it was reimbursement grant-are funds in place-Dixon said yes.

Holt motion to approve with changes/NeSmith 5-0

5.

Approval of the Granicus Intranet Proposal No. Q-308712

  Dixon said Simpkins asked this item be pulled.

  Simpkins asked Administrator expound on it-her concern was already had contract with Granicus and not totally using service and to ass additional services was her concern but he addressed her concern.

Green asked when they could expect everything to be up and running

Kimbrew came forward.  This phase website up; next phase adding Zoom; extension of existing Granicus contract.

  Green asked when could they expect website to be fully operational.  Only missing video-should be up in next couple of weeks.

  NeSmith said they entered into relation with Granicus quite a while ago.  These 2 services were not anticipated when originally entered?

Kimbrew said had staff changes, HR wanted to be able to reach all employees.

  Simpkins said animal control had their form out, what is response time?  Kimbrew said part of that is training, getting them trained on what they need to do.

  Holt asked Dixon if she would be able to get flow charts and he said yes. 

Holt motion to approve/Simpkins 5-0

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.org 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.

  Commissioner NeSmith read the above statement aloud.

Janet Watson, 2793 Sycamore Road, Quincy, FL  32341

  Ms. Watson appeared before the Board and asked to give her 3 minutes to her husband, Mike.

Mike Watson, 2793 Sycamore Road

  Mr. Watson appeared before the Board concerning Sycamore Road.  He said Commissioner Hinson stated he had issues in his district that needed to be taken care of.  He said he was also concerned with the way priority is given to roads.

  Dixon said road submission is a competitive process. Roads are submitted and
DOT decides.

Tracey Stallworth

  Appeared before the Board concerning Item 3-history of Gadsden County very important as it relates to black folks.  Asked if there would be a task force and asked to be a part of it.

  About 1 month ago appeared asking for approval of his non-profit and was back again to request funding.

Green said waiting on workshop.

Stallworth asked to be excluded from workshop and asked to be approved.

  Holt asked to have up or down vote.

Holt made motion to approve $10,000 to Stallworth Associates/Simpkins second     

  NeSmith said he knew Stallworth and needed to have process in place.  Supports Stallworth 100% but does not approve process.

Chair called for vote.  3-2 Hinson and NeSmith opposed

Holt stated all they need is a motion and second to not approve any others until have workshop.

  NeSmith made motion to not approve any other non-profits until have workshop

NeSmith withdrew motion

Holt motion to not approve any other non-profit until workshop/ NeSmith second

Hinson said if Commissioner said had process in place, how could she vote on this.  Knowles said not sure of written, adopted policy on how non-profits are dealt with.

Simpkins said in budget have line item for non-profits.

Holt said they required the non-profits to appear before them and provide reports.

  NeSmith said he wanted a process.    

Holt motion to not approve any other non-profit until workshop/ NeSmith second

Board voted 5-0

PUBLIC HEARINGS

GENERAL BUSINESS

5a.

Consideration of Approval of Site Selection Analysis for proposed Boys & Girls Club and Community Center

  Dixon said track field available and will give opportunity to build for 3.6 million.

  Laura Youmans appeared before the Board and said they were appreciative, support this site and look forward to the opportunity to work.  Want to talk about next steps of project.

  Holt asked if any property beyond fencing-not at this point.  She asked if Boys & Girls have any funding to contribute. 

  Holt said knew track field needed to be resurfaced; would it be incorporated?  Dixon said track field as is would go away but would be reincorporated in new way.  Asked if City of Quincy voted?  Dixon said has spoken with 1-2 commissioners   

  Simpkins said needs to be a workshop with Board for Boys & Girls Club.  

  NeSmith echoed part of what Simpkins and Holt stated.  Opportunity to partner with City of Quincy to create Boys & Girls club. 

NeSmith motion for option 1/Holt second

Hinson asked if City of Quincy planning to donate property to County-Dixon said what they are requesting.  Asked if going to be Gadsden County Boys and Girls Club or Big Bend Boys & Girls Club.  Dixon said facility would be Gadsden County.

  Green-first step is to get property/land. Hinson asked if $3.6 going to building and Dixon said yes. 

Green called for vote 5-0

CLERK OF COURT

6.

Updates

COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR

7.

Updates

  Need to remind that parade is Friday, was canceled from last Friday. 

COUNTY ATTORNEY

8.

Updates

  Nothing

DISCUSSION ITEMS BY COMMISSIONERS

  Hinson made motion for recognition of Coach Willie Simmons/Holt 5-0

9.

Commissioner Eric Hinson, District 1

  Hinson congratulated FAMU and FSU on successful season.

  Thanked FSU for doing well as well.  Heart goes out to FSU and Georgia. 

  Thanked Public Works and Facilities and Maintenance for great work.  Said had talked about giving bonus because they are hardest workers in Gadsden County.  Still have ARPC money, look into giving bonus for Christmas. Also, EMS.

Hoped everyone had wonderful Thanksgiving.

Was at Midway event yesterday for Push the Truck, was beautiful. 

Commissioner Kimblin Nesmith, District 3

  NeSmith said still have legislative aide.  Wished Green happy belated birthday.

Talked about non-profits, enjoyed gala for County and hoped could use galas to raise monies.   

Gadsden County Summer Youth program will be here before know-extremely important to start working on program.  Asked if been any thought in bringing in someone full-time.  Dixon nodded yes. 

Spoke of trash all over roads around county. 

Commissioner Brenda Holt, District 4

  Florida Rebuild will have training program, need to partner with school.

  Asked Board to find $100,000 for cold-weather shelter.

Green said good suggestion-asked if knew how many people used Recreation Center?  Havana may be3 one location and Chattahoochee another

Need to look into moving money-not tonight. 

  Dixon said County will be involved in next count of homelessness-will be soon. Have reached out to Continuum of Care.

  Asked attorney if had anything to discuss on private roads-surveys, deeding property

  She said when cities annexing property, not annexing roads-Knowles said not required to do that.  

Commissioner Alonzetta Simpkins, Vice-Chair, District 2

  Simpkins asked for recognition for Rev. McCloud/Green second-event is Friday.  5-0

Asked for recognition for Marion Bush Smith 5-0

  Fire Contracts-asked where they were-have they met with municipalities?  Dixon said thought attorney close to closing out-meeting one on one.

  Green said given extension but did not want to wait until end of extension

  Wanted to address ordinance from last meeting.  Was it per event or per item?  Knowles said believed if was silent.   

  Asked if submitted any requests to federal lobbyists?  Has there been any return on investment.

  Dixon said initial return has been in federal grants.  Dixon said formula they had did not work for Gadsden Couty.  Now looking for appropriations through agencies.  Will be multi-million-dollar requests.  She asked if County could expect a return.   Dixon said have had to redefine what county wants and want they want to receive.

  Knowles said nothing in Ordinance stating per event.  She asked if could come back to look at amending per event and not

Simpkins motion to bring back ordinance 2023-07and check wording on spending/NeSmith

  Holt said if had more than one thing during event, needs to be discussed.  If Billy Dean coming, may be X number of dollars and another individual will be x number of dollars.

  Green called for vote-5-0

  Lighting in parks-been put on back burner.  Asked where were with parks and lighting. 

  Dixon apologized it looked stagnant-have already placed on agenda funding for next meeting.  Appearance is trying to get priority straight.

  Asked if could keep students in prayers that was shot last week-one died today.

  NeSmith reminded everyone to review strategic plan.

Commissioner Ronterious Green, Chair, District 5

  Thanked everyone for productive meeting.

  On 16^th will be golf cart parade at Lake Talquin and he is Grand Marshall.

  Parks and Rec-have asked each commissioner for names for board.  Asked if started advertising position and Dixon believed it was out there.

  Would like for directors to be on-line or in meeting in case have questions.  Dixon said policy is if have item on agenda-be in meeting, if not be on-line.

  He asked about policy on ditches in county because of rain this past week and they are not being maintained.

  Asked what known for in Gadsden County?  Need to have some type of festival to bring in people.  Need to be creative to do something.

  Holt said having surgery tomorrow to take screw out of ankle.

   Greenlight moment-Mistakes are proof you are trying-don’t stop trying even if you mess up.

MOTION TO ADJOURN

  Adjourned at 8:01 pm