CALL TO ORDER, INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

  Chair Green called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. Chair Green provided Invocation. Ms. Kayla led into Pledge of Allegiance.   

AMENDMENTS AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA

  Dixon stated amendment to add item 6a and items 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, 9e

Holt/NeSmith 5-0

AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND APPEARANCES

CONSENT

   Holt/ Simpkins 5-0

  Simpkins requested item 4 and NeSmith item 6 to be pulled for discussion

Hinson requested item 5

1.       Ratification Memo

2.       BOCC Meeting/ Workshop Minutes

-          January 23, 2024 Public Hearing

3.       Approval of the Affordable Housing Committee Housing Incentives and CDBG Application Selection

4.       Approval of Task Order with AE Engineering, Inc. for Park Master Plan

Pulled for discussion.

5.       Approval of Task Order with ALDAY Howell Engineering, Inc. for Striping Project

Pulled for discussion.

6.       Approval of Change Order #1 for CR 65 Attapulgus Highway

6a. Approval for Staff to Submit an Application to the Florida Department of Commerce, Capital Projects Digital Connectivity Technology Program (DCTP)

Pulled for discussion.

ITEMS PULLED FOR DISCUSSION

4. Approval of Task Order with AE Engineering, Inc. for Park Master Plan

  Simpkins stated in the task order it has inventory of facilities, equipment, and thought some of these things Staff should be able to do.

Dixon stated the inventory they might do is not the same inventory that the engineers are doing  

5-0

5.       Approval of Task Order with ALDAY Howell Engineering, Inc. for Striping Project

  Hinson asked CA to give brief synopsis 

  Dixon stated they seek to hire engineers to go through and determine the roads listed in inventory and what level of striping they need.   

  NeSmith asked CA if any additional resources

  Dixon stated not aware of dollars that they are not attacking.

  Hinson asked how much money in sales tax for this project

5-0

6a. Approval for Staff to Submit an Application to the Florida Department of Commerce, Capital Projects Digital Connectivity Technology Program (DCTP)

Dixon presented above.

  Holt/ Hinson 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. 

  Chair read aloud the above statement. 

Dr. Tracey Stallworth, 770 Selman Road

  Dr. Stallworth mentioned Pastor Lewis was killed at an illegal establishment in Havana.

 Asking to create an Ordinance to save their citizens in Gadsden County.   

Kimberly Butler, 105 Simmons Attapulgus, GA

  Kimberly Butler appeared before the Board. She stated her husband Rev. Lewis gave his life up for someone else. She stated these cafes have got to go. She stated her co-worker was robbed and was told not to call police. She would hate to see someone else lose their life.

  Holt thanked her for her comments. Had this discussion and felt like they should write an Ordinance where they do not allow them in the County. 

Marshelle Martin, 210 Prescott Place

  Ms. Martin stated she was the cousin-in-law of Pastor Lewis.  She stated there has been many robberies in area due to same cafes being around.

  Holt stated need Ordinance to state internet cafes not allowed in County.

  County Attorney stated the state already declared internet cafes illegal   

  Dixon mentioned ordinance that allows sheriff to enforce state portion of Ordinance. It is a state statute.

  County Attorney stated not sure county could pass an ordinance that would order separate constitutional officer to undertake much of anything. They are not a law enforcement entity.

Hinson stated if something is illegal, they are not the enforcers. It was not a county commission issue

PUBLIC HEARINGS

GENERAL BUSINESS

7.       Approval of Resolution 2024-003 Grant Budget Amendment for FY 2024

  Dixon presented above. 

  Daniels stated there was a correction – number 2024-05 need to be stricken, included in 2024-010 

Holt motion to approve with amendments/ NeSmith 5-0

8.       Approval of 180-Day Interlocal Fire and Rescue Service Agreement Extension Between Gadsden County and the Town of Havana

  Dixon presented above

  Hinson asked if changed anything

  Attorney stated only approving extension

Holt asked difference between 2 documents

  Simpkins stated no difference as relates to services, just the wording  

Simpkins/ Hinson 5-0

9.       Approval of Fire Department’s Interlocal Fire and Rescue Service Agreements

NeSmith/ Simpkins 5-0 

9a. Approval of Town of Greensboro Interlocal Fire and Rescue Service Agreement

NeSmith/ Holt 5-0

9b. Approval of City of Chattahoochee Interlocal Fire and Rescue Service Agreement

NeSmith/ Holt 5-0  

9c. Approval of City of Gretna Interlocal Fire and Rescue Service Agreement

Holt/ NeSmith 5-0

9d. Approval of City of Midway Interlocal Fire and Rescue Service Agreement

Hinson/ Green 5-0

9e. Approval of Volunteer Fire Departments Interlocal Fire and Rescue Service Agreement

Simpkins/ NeSmith 5-0

  Dixon presented above. 

Dixon stated all asked to be removed and contracts be individually approved

10.   Approval to Create a Position for a County Health Coordinator

  Dixon presented above. 

  Hinson stated need budget workshop first

 Holt asked if there was a line item for this and Dixon stated not at this time.

Chair asked about salary and Dixon stated not sure.

  Chair asked to table this.

Holt motion to table item/ NeSmith 5-0  

Clerk of Court

No Updates

County Administrator

  Dixon stated in Black History Month. Parade and Gala Saturday.

Mentioned HR Director, Lisa Burrows

County Attorney

  Mr. Knowles stated redistricting lawsuit against board has been stayed.

DISCUSSION ITEMS BY COMMISSIONERS

Commissioner Eric F. Hinson, District 1

  Hinson stated met with someone on a project for the County

  Thanked Congressman Lawson    

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

  NeSmith asked where they were with legal services contracts

  Dixon stated RFP will be ready tmrw or next day

NeSmith made motion to enter month to month contract with existing legal firm until they are able to determine what issues would like to address/ Holt with discussion 5-0

  Holt asked CA if looked at other contracts and Dixon stated yes, will send recommendations

Chair asked for recommendations be sent as soon as CA gets them and Dixon stated yes.  

  Would like to make a motion to recognize Commissioner Dianne Williams-Cox

NeSmith/ Green 5-0

  Made motion for Curtis Richardson to be recognized

NeSmith/ Holt 5-0

  Congratulated Willie Simmons on award for National Coach of the year.

  NeSmith mentioned Stevens School.

  NeSmith stated need a plaque with all districts that goes back to all commissioners in history of Gadsden County.        

Commissioner Brenda A. Holt, District 4

Wanted CA to find out cost of funding a full-time fire station

  Mentioned internet café and for Attorney to bring back an Ordinance. Schedule a workshop

Vice Chair Alonzetta Simpkins, District 2

  Stated on Feb 29 at 6 p.m. will be hosting a community meeting to discuss parks.

  Simpkins mentioned lighting and asked where they were with that. Dixon stated has not started on it yet.

   Simpkins asked timeline on salary schedule. Dixon stated spent most of day with HR Director going over salary study

Chair Ronterious Green, District 5

Chair asked Mr. Young to drive by public library and check lighting

Chair asked about Serenity Ln and update. Mr. Young stated spoke with someone out there and waiting for that person to pick up package.

Chair asked Mr. Young about Highbridge and Joe Adams Road. Asked about putting 4 way stop sign bc of accidents.

Dixon stated traffic is fast

Chair made request for proclamation Reginald Washington celebrating 30 yrs

Green/ NeSmith 5-0

Dr. Stallworth asked about workshop for internet café. Chair stated will not know date yet for workshop.

Chair provided green light moment.

Motion to Adjourn

Chair adjourned meeting at 8:21 p.m.